Self-rated poor families, a rising trend?

PHILIPPINES - In Brief 02 Dec 2023 by Diwa Guinigundo

---

While the Philippines surpassed the dismal 2nd quarter 4.3% GDP growth with a 5.9% performance in the 3rdquarter, the results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from September 28-October 1, 2023 suggest the fruits of economic growth may not be spreading around evenly. Self-rated poverty prevails over almost half of the country’s population. Results show that 48% of Filipino families felt poor, 27% felt they are in the borderline of being poor, and 25% felt they are not poor. The percentage of Filipino families who felt poor rose by 3 percentage points (ppts) from 45% in June 2023 while the percentage of those who felt they are in the borderline declined by 6 ppts from 33%. On the other hand, families who felt they are not poor at all improved by 3 ppts from 22%. It's easier to appreciate these percentages with the absolutes. SWS estimates the number of self-rated poor families at 13.2 million, an increase of 5.6% from 12.5 million in June 2023. If blown up, this means about 12% of the latest estimated Filipino population of 113 million are poor. With the exception of Luzon areas outside Metro Manila which the survey refers to as Balance Luzon, the rise in self-rated poor families was recorded in all areas of the country, with Mindanao showing the highest increase. In particular, families who felt poor rose markedly from 54% to 71% in Mindanao, showed a slight increase in Metro Manila from 35% to 38%, and a similar trend, from 57% to 59%, in the Visayas area. Meanwhile, Balance Luzon exhibited some decline in self-rated poor families from 39% to 35%. The percentage of borderline families was reduced in Balance Luzon (38% to 25%) and Mindanao (3...