Self-rated poverty among Filipino families slightly declined from 37% to 35%, according to a study by OCTA Research, conducted before the onset of the oil crisis linked to tensions in the Middle East.
In its first-quarter 2026 survey, OCTA found that around 9.2 million families consider themselves poor—lower than the 9.8 million recorded in December last year.
However, the research group noted that the decrease of about 600,000 families is not statistically significant and remains within the survey’s margin of error.
This suggests that the overall poverty situation in the country has remained largely unchanged.
The findings highlight the persistence of hardship among low-income groups despite relatively stable national conditions.
Mindanao recorded the highest self-rated poverty at 56%.
Meanwhile, 24% of respondents said they do not consider themselves poor, while 41% said they are uncertain whether they are poor or not.
(PHOTO COURTESY: Dreamstime)
