Nearly half of Filipino families, or 49 percent, rated themselves as “mahirap” or poor in the latest nationwide survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) from June 25 to 29.
This figure represents approximately 13.7 million households.
The number is slightly lower than the 50 percent recorded in April 2025, continuing a gradual decline from 55 percent earlier that month.
“The percentage of Self-Rated Poor families has dropped slightly, but 49 percent is still a staggering figure,” SWS said in its report.
The SWS said the small national decline was due to drops in the Visayas (from 67 percent to 60 percent) and Balance Luzon (from 43 percent to 38 percent).
However, these were offset by increases in Mindanao (from 61 percent to 69 percent) and Metro Manila (from 33 percent to 36 percent).
Self-Rated Poverty remains highest in Mindanao at 69 percent, followed by the Visayas at 60 percent, Balance Luzon at 38 percent, and Metro Manila at 36 percent.
“The regional shifts suggest continued economic pressure in Mindanao and Metro Manila, even as other areas show modest improvements,” SWS added. (Jel Santos)
