SWS: Self-rated poverty lowest since 2011

Self- rated poverty in the Philippines has dropped to its lowest since 2011, according to a recent survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The survey – conducted from June 24 to 27 and published in BusinessWorld yesterday – showed that 45 percent of the 1,200 respondents rated themselves as poor, one point lower than the result of a similar survey conducted in April.

The 45 percent self- rated poverty was last recorded by SWS in December 2011.

The latest data is two points higher than the 43 percent alltime low that was recorded in March 1987 and March 2010.

In terms of geographical location, the number of Filipinos who rated themselves as poor increased in Metro Manila from 30 percent in April to 32 percent in the latest survey.

It also increased in Mindanao (53 percent to 54 percent),

but decreased in balance Luzon (44 percent to 41 percent) and the Visayas (57 percent to 52 percent).

Meanwhile, the number of Filipinos who said that they are “food-poor” – or those who rated themselves as poor based on the food that they eat – retained the all-time low 31 percent recorded in April.

The all-time low self-rated food poor rating was first recorded in March 2010.

The number of those who rated themselves as food poor decreased in Metro Manila (22 percent to 20 percent) and balance Luzon (29 percent to 27 percent).

However, it increased in the Visayas (33 percent to 37 percent) and Mindanao (37 percent to 39 percent).

According to SWS, the median selfrated poverty threshold – or the lowest monthly home expense budget needed by poor households in order for them to not consider themselves as such – increased in balance Luzon from P10,000 in April to P15,000 in June.

The threshold did not change in Metro Manila (P20,000), the Visayas (P10,000) and Mindanao (P10,000).

The survey had an error margin of plus or minus three percent for national percentages.