The proportion of Filipino families experiencing involuntary hunger decreased to 20.1% in November 2025, down from 22% in September of the same year, according to a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
The latest survey results indicate that the average hunger rate for 2025 was 20.2%, consistent with the 2024 average and 0.9 percentage points lower than the record-high average of 21.1% recorded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Across different regions, the highest incidence of hunger was reported in Mindanao at 26.7%, followed by Metro Manila and the Visayas, both at 20.3%, and Balance Luzon at 16.7%.
The SWS noted that the 1.9-point decline in hunger between September 2025 and November 2025 was attributed to decreases in Balance Luzon and Metro Manila, despite increases in Mindanao and the Visayas.
The survey also revealed that the 20.1% hunger rate in November 2025 comprised 15.6% of families experiencing Moderate Hunger and 4.5% experiencing Severe Hunger.
According to SWS, Moderate Hunger is defined as experiencing hunger “only once” or “a few times” in the past three months, while Severe Hunger refers to those experiencing hunger “often” or “always” during the same period.
Compared with September 2025, Moderate Hunger fell by 1.1 percentage points from 16.7%, while Severe Hunger decreased by 0.7 percentage points from 5.2%.
The same November poll found that approximately half of Filipino families (51%) reported they are poor, an increase of one percentage point from September 2025, but still below the 2024 annual average.
This nationwide face-to-face survey was conducted from November 24 to 30 and involved 1,200 respondents aged 18 and older, with a margin of error of ±3% for national percentages.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Hunger eases slightly from September to November 2025—SWS”
