MANILA, Philippines – At least half of Filipino families in the country believe they are poor, according to the latest self-rated poverty survey of independent pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS).
The May 24-27 survey, which was first published in Businessworld, showed 51% of respondents, or about 10.3 million households, rating themselves as “mahirap” (poor).
This is down 4 percentage points from the 55% self-rated poverty rating, equivalent to 11.1 million families, in the SWS March survey.
Self-rated food poverty also declined in the past quarter, from 45% in March to 39% in May.
At least 61% of respondents in rural areas considered themselves poor, compared to only 42% for urban respondents.
SWS said self-rated poverty and food poverty improvements were recorded in all areas but also noted that families had continued to tighten their belts.
In Mindanao, self-rated poverty dropped seven points to 65%. It fell five points to 41% in Metro Manila, by four to 57% in the Visayas and by two points to 43% in Balance Luzon.
A five-point decline to 61% was recorded in rural areas, while urban areas saw a two-point increase to 42%.
Self-rated food poverty, meanwhile, dropped by 11 points to 53% in Mindanao. Smaller improvements came in Balance Luzon and Metro Manila, six points to 32% and five points to 25%, respectively. The score was barely changed at 46% from 47% in the Visayas.
The May 24-27 SWS survey involved face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide and utilized sampling error margins of ±3% for national and ±6% for area percentages. With a report from BusinessWorld
June 2025
Philippine Environment Month!
“Action for Nature, for the Future!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
1 Jun – World Day of Parents
5 Jun – World Environment Day
7 Jun – World Food Safety Day
8 Jun – World Oceans Day
12 Jun – World Day Against
Child Labour
15 Jun – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
16 Jun – International Day of Family Remittances
17 Jun – World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
20 Jun – World Refugee Day
25 Jun – Day of the Seafarer
27 Jun – Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
