The percentage of Filipino families who considered themselves “mahirap” or poor has declined to 45 percent, the lowest recorded self-rated poverty since 2011, the latest Social Weather Stations survey said.
In the nationwide survey conducted last June 24-27 with 1,200 respondents, 45 percent, equivalent to 10.5 million households, considered themselves mahirap or poor, lower by one percentage point than the 46 percent recorded last April.
The SWS said this is the lowest self-rated poverty rate in over four years, since the 45 percent in December 2011.
The lowest self-rated poverty rate of 43 percent was recorded in March 1987 and March 2010.
The survey question directed to the respondents was “Saan po ninyo ilalagay ang inyong pamilya sa kard na ito?” A showcard with the choices hindi mahirap (not poor), sa linya (on the line), and mahirap (poor) is shown.
The SWS attributed the one-point decline in self-rated poverty to the fewer number of Filipino families claiming they are poor in the Visayas (from 57 percent to 52 percent) and rest of Luzon (from 44 percent to 41 percent).
However, self-rated poverty slightly increased in Metro Manila (from 30 percent to 32 percent) and Mindanao (from 53 percent to 54 percent). (Ellalyn B. de Vera)