MANILA – Nearly half of Filipino families continue to view themselves as poor, according to a new nationwide survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), despite government claims of improving living conditions under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.
In the second-quarter survey conducted from June 25 to 29, 2025 49% of respondents identified themselves as poor, while 10% said they were “borderline” poor, and 41% considered themselves not poor. The results showed little change from April, when 50% of families said they were poor.
The survey also revealed that poverty perceptions remained highest in Mindanao, with 69% of families there identifying as poor. This was followed by the Visayas (60%), Balance Luzon (38%), and Metro Manila (36%).
SWS further noted that 7.8% of respondents, equivalent to around 2.2 million families, said they had only become poor within the past one to four years. Another 6.4% said they became poor five years ago, while 34.8% reported being poor for a long time.
The findings stand in contrast to recent statements from the Marcos administration, which has repeatedly touted economic recovery and improved livelihoods following the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation. The government has also pointed to increased employment and investment in infrastructure as signs of economic progress.
Despite these efforts, inflation and high food prices continue to weigh heavily on Filipino households. Analysts say that while macroeconomic indicators may show resilience, the benefits have yet to trickle down to many lower-income families.
SWS conducted the survey through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide. The poll has a ±2.8 percentage point margin of error.