A recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey found that Filipino families now need at least P12,000 monthly to avoid poverty, with Metro Manila families setting a higher threshold of P20,000.
The increase from P10,000 last quarter reflects rising costs in food, transportation, and utilities, although poverty thresholds remain stagnant as many families tighten their budgets.
About 49% of Filipino families still consider themselves poor, with Mindanao having the highest poverty rate at 69%.
Food poverty remains widespread, affecting 41% of families nationwide, with Mindanao again experiencing the greatest impact.
The survey also identified 7.8% of families as “newly poor,” having fallen into poverty within the last four years, underscoring ongoing economic challenges.
Source: PhilNews24 | August 3, 2025
