The Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted its latest survey showing number of “self-rated poor” families decreased to 50 percent in Apri.

The SWS Report survey conducted last April 23 to 28, 2025 said the latest figure is 5 percent lower than the 55% recorded on April 11-15, 2025, the survey group said.

The survey also showed that the percentage of not poor families rose to a record high 42 percent from 32 percent.

The SWS said that the 5-point decrease in the nationwide self-rated poverty was due to declines in Metro Manila and Mindanao, combined with steady scores in Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside Metro Manila) and the Visayas.

While the “not poor” families increased in all areas. Figures rose by 15 points from 45 percent to 60 percent in Metro Manila, 7 points from 44 percent to 51 percent in Balance Luzon, 3 points from 21 percent to 24 percent in the Visayas, and 13 points from 16 percent to 29 percent in Mindanao.

It also indicated that 8 percent of families rated themselves as borderline (a line dividing poor and not poor) and 42 percent rating themselves as not poor.

The April 23-28, 2025 survey also found the percentage of borderline families at 8 percent as a new record low that surpassed the previous low of 11% in December 2024.

Visayas, Mindanao

The SWS said that self-rated poverty was highest in the Visayas at 67 percent, followed by Mindanao at 61 percent, Balance Luzon at 43 percent, and Metro Manila at 33 percent.

Self-rated poverty fell by 12 points from 45 percent in Metro Manila and 9 points from 70 percent in Mindanao. However, it hardly moved from 44 percent in Balance Luzon, while it stayed at 67 percent in the Visayas.

On the other hand, the percentage of Borderline families declined in all areas: it fell from 10 percent to 6 percent in Metro Manila, 12 percent to 6 percent in Balance Luzon, 12 percent to 9 percent in the Visayas, and 14 percent to 10 percent in Mindanao.

At the same time, not poor increased in all areas: it rose by 15 points from 45 percent to 60 percent in Metro Manila, 7 points from 44 percent to 51 percent in Balance Luzon, 3 points from 21 percent to 24 percent in the Visayas, and 13 points from 16 percent to 29 percent in Mindanao.

The same survey also pointed out that 41 percent of families rated themselves as food-poor. The April 23-28, 2025 percentage of self-rated food poor families was 10 points down from 51 percent in December 2024.

The decrease was due to declines in all areas, especially in Mindanao.

Self-rated food poverty remained highest in Mindanao at 55 percent, followed by the Visayas at 51 percent, Balance Luzon at 34 percent, and Metro Manila at 31 percent.

But compared to December 2024, self-rated food poverty fell by 13 points from 68 percent in Mindanao, 10 points from 61 percent in the Visayas, 8 points from 42 percent in Balance Luzon, and 8 points from 39 percent in Metro Manila.