SWS logo / Reuters photo
MANILA, Philippines — Almost half of Filipino families consider themselves living in poverty, according to a new survey from the Social Weather Stations (SWS) released on Wednesday.
The SWS estimated that the number of self-rated poor families is at 13.2 million as of September, which is an increase of around 700,000 families.
According to the SWS, 48 percent of Filipinos rated themselves as poor as of September, an increase from the 45-percent self-poverty rate the SWS noted in June.
“Compared to June 2023, the percentage of Poor families rose by 3 points from 45 percent, while Borderline families fell by 6 points from 33 percent, and Not Poor families rose by 3 points from 22 percent,” said the SWS in its report.
More Filipinos sink into poverty
The SWS said that more Filipinos rate themselves to be poor.
According to the SWS, almost 2 million families consider themselves to be newly poor. It means that they did not see themselves to be poor at least five years ago, but this has changed as of September 2023.
“Of the estimated 13.2 million Self-Rated Poor families in September 2023, 1.8 million were Newly Poor, 1.7 million were Usually Poor, and 9.7 million were Always Poor,” said the SWS.
The new survey also found that the self-rated poor increased in all areas except for Balance Luzon, which is the areas outside of Metro Manila.
Mindanao fared the worst in self-poverty, according to the SWS data.
“Compared to June 2023, Self-Rated Poor rose sharply in Mindanao from 54 percent to 71 percent. It rose slightly in Metro Manila, from 35 percent to 38 percent and in the Visayas, from 57 percent to 59 percent. However, it fell in Balance Luzon from 39 percent to 35 percent,” said the SWS.
The SWS survey was conducted from September 28 to October 1 using face-to face-methods. A total of 1,200 adults were interviewed, with 300 each from Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao.
“The sampling error margins are ±2.8% for national percentages, and ±5.7% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao,” said the SWS.