A survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations on December 12-18 last year revealed that a majority of Filipinos—63 percent—see themselves as poor. This translates to 17.4 million Filipino families. Another 11 percent rate themselves borderline (the line dividing poor and not poor) while 26 percent say they were not poor.
The Dec. 2024 number was higher than the 59 percent in September, 58 percent in June, and 46 percent in March 2024.
For this particular survey, 2,160 adults nationwide were surveyed through face-to-face interviews. The sampling error margin was +/- 2 percent for national percentages.
The self-rated poverty is the highest in 21 years.
The numbers differ across geographical locations, of course, and some areas registered marked increases while some remained steady. Nonetheless, the national figures are an important indication of what our leaders should focus on for this year and onward.
Ultimately, economics remains the top concern of the people. Despite the political noises that plagued the country toward the latter part of 2024, Filipinos remained primarily concerned with their economic security—whether they are able to provide the basic needs of their family.
When official statistics determine whether people are poor or not is one thing; when it is the people themselves who say they cannot meet their fundamental needs is quite another. People’s response to such surveys are borne out of their lived experiences and their daily struggles. This is what makes the survey results compelling and credible.
We hope, too, that this perception of poverty will jolt our leaders into thinking about their priorities.
Programs providing one-time assistance to the needy could be helpful on a single instance, but renders the families ultimately poor and helpless again the next time around. A more effective and sustainable, albeit longer term, solution is to ensure ample investments that would create jobs for Filipinos. These, in turn, would enable them to earn a decent living.
It is work that ultimately gives dignity to our people. It is work that would allow Filipinos to see themselves neither poor nor hopeless, and that would enable them to contemplate a better life for themselves and their children. The people deserve no less.