A recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed that 59% of Filipino families consider themselves poor, marking an increase from 58% in June 2024. This figure, equivalent to 16.3 million Filipinos, is the highest self-rated poverty level since June 2008.
The Third Quarter 2024 survey, carried out from September 14 to 23, gathered data through face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults across the country. The survey showed self-rated poverty highest in Mindanao at 67%, followed by the Visayas at 62%, Balance Luzon at 55%, and Metro Manila at 52%.
SWS also classified the respondents into three categories: “newly poor” (9.1%), “usually poor” (8.1%), and “always poor” (41.5%), reflecting that many families have been in poverty for extended periods.
In addition to poverty ratings, the survey highlighted median monthly family expenses. The cost of house rent remained highest in Metro Manila at ₱3,500, while internet and mobile phone expenses saw a slight rise from previous months. For transportation, families in Metro Manila spent an average of ₱2,500 monthly, the highest in the country.
