Growing Concern Over Involuntary Hunger in the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — The percentage of Filipinos experiencing involuntary hunger—defined as going hungry without any food at least once in the past three months—has climbed to 20 percent by the end of April, according to a recent survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS). This increase signals a troubling trend that affects millions nationwide.
The SWS conducted its national survey from April 23 to 28, releasing the findings last Saturday. The term “involuntary hunger” refers to individuals who faced hunger without having anything to eat, highlighting the severity of food insecurity across the country.
Details of Hunger Incidence and Regional Impact
Breaking down the 20 percent, the survey showed that 16.4 percent of respondents reported moderate hunger, while 3.6 percent suffered from severe hunger. Moderate hunger includes those who experienced it once or a few times in the last three months, whereas severe hunger refers to those who faced it often or always during the same period, local sources explained.
Regionally, hunger was most widespread in Mindanao, with 26.3 percent of families affected. Metro Manila followed at 20.3 percent, Visayas at 19.7 percent, and Balance Luzon—which includes areas outside Metro Manila—at 17 percent.
Trends and Fluctuations in Hunger Rates
This recent figure marks a 0.9 percent rise compared to a similar SWS survey conducted earlier from April 11 to 15, which recorded a 19.1 percent hunger incidence. However, both surveys reflect an overall decline of 8.1 points from the high of 27.2 percent reported in March 2025.
According to the data, the 0.9-point increase between mid- and late April 2025 stemmed from decreasing hunger rates in Metro Manila and Balance Luzon, offset by increases in Mindanao and the Visayas. Specifically, hunger incidence dropped by 5.7 points to 26.0 percent in Metro Manila and by 3.5 points to 20.5 percent in Balance Luzon. Conversely, it rose by 9 points to 17.3 percent in Mindanao and by 5.4 points to 14.3 percent in the Visayas.
Public Perception of Poverty and Hunger
The survey also revealed a stark view of economic hardship. Half of the respondents considered themselves poor, while 8 percent identified as “Borderline”—situated between poor and not poor. Meanwhile, 42 percent believed they were not poor, reflecting varied perceptions amid ongoing challenges.
Survey Methodology and Sampling
The April survey involved face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults aged 18 and above. The sample included 600 respondents from Balance Luzon and 300 each from Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. The margin of sampling error was ±3 percent nationally, ±4 percent in Balance Luzon, and ±6 percent in each of Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao, sources noted.
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