A recent national survey indicates a marginal improvement in how Filipino families perceive their economic status, though experts warn that the shift remains statistically thin and geographically lopsided.
According to the Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey conducted by OCTA Research from March 19 to 25, 2025, self-rated poverty across the archipelago dipped from 37% in late 2025 to 35% in the first quarter of 2026.
This percentage represents an estimated 9.2 million families who identify as poor—a decrease of approximately 600,000 households compared to the 9.8 million recorded in December.
Despite the numerical decline, the research firm cautioned against over-optimism.
“While this suggests that roughly 600,000 fewer families considered themselves poor during the quarter, the difference is not statistically significant and remains within the survey’s margin of error, indicating that overall poverty conditions remained broadly stable,” OCTA stated.
The Economic Breakdown
The survey paints a complex picture of the Filipino class structure. While 24% of respondents confidently labeled themselves as “not poor,” a significant 41% remained in a grey area, unable to clearly classify their economic standing.
When analyzed by socioeconomic demographics, the divide is stark:
- Class E: 58% self-rated as poor.
- Class D: 35% self-rated as poor.
- Class ABC: 15% self-rated as poor.
Regional and Food Insecurity Trends
Geographically, the burden of poverty continues to weigh most heavily on the southern regions. Mindanao reported the highest self-rated poverty at 56%, followed by the Visayas at 44%.
OCTA noted that while the National Capital Region (NCR) and certain Mindanaoan sectors saw gains, other provinces faced stagnation or economic setbacks.
“The contrasting regional trends point to an uneven recovery, with gains concentrated in NCR and parts of Mindanao while other areas experienced setbacks. The persistently high poverty rates in Mindanao and among lower-income groups further indicate that many households remain economically vulnerable,” the report added.
On the front of basic needs, food insecurity remains a pressing issue. Self-rated food poverty rose slightly to 31% (8.1 million families), while self-rated hunger—defined as families going without food at least once—ticked up to 17%, affecting roughly 4.5 million households.
The findings reflect public sentiment just before the onset of global oil price volatility triggered by tensions in the Middle East.
The survey utilized face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adult respondents and maintains a ±3% margin of error.