Poll: Self-rated poverty down, hunger risesMANILA, Philippines — Fewer Filipinos considered themselves poor even as the hunger rate increased in the last quarter of 2025, an OCTA Research group survey showed. It was down by a record 17 points from 54 percent obtained in a similar OCTA survey in September 2025. Except in Mindanao, where it increased from 63 percent to 67 percent, self-rated poverty went down across areas nationwide. The survey found improvements in self-rated food poverty, or being poor based on the food they eat. Hunger risesStill, the OCTA survey found a higher percentage of Filipinos who experienced involuntary hunger in the last quarter of the year.

Source: Philippine Star January 20, 2026 16:46 UTC