At least 22.9% of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger–being hungry and not having anything to eat–at least once in the past three months, according to the survey released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
The third quarter data released by the SWS on October 17, showed a 5.3-point increase from the 17.6% recorded in June 2024. It is also the highest rate since the 30.7% reported during the COVID-19 lockdowns in September 2020.
The resulting 2024 three-quarter hunger average of 18.2% was 7.5 points above the 2023 annual hunger average of 10.7% and just 2.9 points below the record-high 2020 annual hunger average of 21.1%.
As of September 2024, the experience of hunger was highest in Mindanao at 30.7% of families, followed by the Visayas at 26.0%, Metro Manila at 21.7%, and Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside Metro Manila) at 18.1%
The 5.3-point rise in hunger between June 2024 and September 2024 was due to sharp increases in Mindanao and the Visayas, combined with a slight increase in Metro Manila and a slight decline in Balance Luzon.
SWS pointed out that the 22.9% hunger rate in September consists of 16.8% of families experiencing “moderate hunger” and 6.1% facing “severe hunger.”
Moderate hunger refers to those who felt hunger “only once or a few times” in the past three months, while severe hunger refers to those who experienced it “often or always.”
From June to September, moderate hunger increased from 12.8% to 16.8%, while severe hunger rose from 4.9% to 6.1%.
In Metro Manila, moderate hunger remained steady at 13.3%, while severe hunger increased from 6.7% to 8.3%.
In Balance Luzon, moderate hunger decreased from 14.5% to 13%, while severe hunger stayed at 5.1%.
In the Visayas, moderate hunger surged from 10.7% to 20%, while severe hunger rose from 3% to 6%.
In Mindanao, moderate hunger increased significantly from 10.7% to 24%, while severe hunger rose from 5% to 6.7%.
The SWS survey was conducted from Sept. 14 to 23 through face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults aged 18 and above nationwide.
