Self-rated poverty soars under Marcos admin, highest since Arroyo term

MANILA, Philippines — Around 16 million of Filipino families see themselves as poor, according to a survey from the Social Weather Stations (SWS). 

As of June, self-rated poverty among Filipino families has reached 58%, the highest level recorded since the term of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

During Arroyo’s presidency, the highest self-rated poverty level was 66%, recorded in July 2001, May 2002, and September 2002.

The current self-rated poverty score surpassed the post-COVID-19 ratings under former president Rodrigo Duterte from 2021 to 2022. However, it should be noted that SWS did not collect self-rated poverty data during the peak of the pandemic in 2020 due to the need for face-to-face surveys.

“The estimated numbers of Self-Rated Poor families were 16.0 million in June 2024 and 12.9 million in March 2024,” SWS reported.

Meanwhile, 12% of respondents considered themselves borderline (between poor and not poor), while 30% identified as not poor.

The 12 point increase in self-rated poverty was due to an uptick in scores in all areas surveyed, particularly in Balance Luzon (areas outside of Metro Manila) and Mindanao. 

Mindanao experienced the highest increase in self-rated poverty, rising 15 points from 56% in March to 71% in June. Balance Luzon also saw a significant rise, with self-rated poverty increasing from 38% in March to 52% in June, a 14-point jump.

The Visayas region reported a self-rated poverty rate of 67%, and Metro Manila had the lowest at 39%.

Among those who rated themselves as poor, 46% saw themselves as food-poor, 15% were food-borderline, and 39% did not consider themselves food-poor.

Despite the rise in self-rated poverty, the percentage of those who view themselves as not poor has also increased.

“As of June 2024, the percentage of Not Poor families was 7 points above the 23% in March 2024 and tied the record high 30% in December 2014. It was 13% when first recorded in July 1985, and reached its record low of 8% in July 1991,” SWS said.

The SWS survey included 1,500 adults nationwide, with 600 respondents from Balance Luzon, and 300 each from Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao.

The sampling error margin for the entire country is ±2.5%.