Significant Decline in Self-Rated Poverty
A recent nationwide survey reveals encouraging signs as fewer Filipino families now consider themselves poor. Conducted from April 10 to 16 among 1,200 respondents, the latest data shows 42% or roughly 11.1 million Filipinos rated themselves as poor. This marks an 8-point decrease from November 2024, when half of the respondents, or about 13.2 million families, identified as poor.
Food Poverty Sees Dramatic Drop
The survey also highlights a sharp fall in food poverty. About 35%, equivalent to 9.2 million families, now perceive themselves as food poor. This figure is 14 points lower than the previous 49%, or 12.9 million families, recorded just a few months prior. In effect, this means around 3.7 million fewer families are struggling with food insecurity.
Hunger Rates Remain Steady Despite Slight Decrease
Meanwhile, self-rated hunger showed a small decline from 16% to 13%, translating to approximately 3.4 million families experiencing hunger compared to 4.2 million in November 2024. However, experts caution that this 3-point drop falls within the margin of error. Therefore, hunger levels are considered statistically unchanged, even if the downward trend offers some hope.
Survey Methodology and Confidence Levels
Respondents were asked to classify their families as poor or not poor based on their overall situation. For food poverty, families evaluated their condition based on the food they consumed. To gauge hunger, participants reported whether they experienced periods without food in the past three months.
This survey carries a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level nationwide. For specific regions such as Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the margin widens to ±6%, reflecting the diverse sample.
Overall, the survey provides valuable insights into the ongoing struggles and gradual improvements Filipino families face amid economic challenges.