50% of Filipino families consider themselves poor, according to the Social Weather Stations survey released last October 30, 2025, marking a one percentage point increase from 49% in June 2025.

The September 2025 survey results translate to approximately 14.2 million households nationwide, up from 13.7 million families in June. Meanwhile, 12% of families classify themselves as borderline poor, rising two points from June, while 38% say they are not poor, down three points from 41% in the previous quarter.

Malacañang downplayed the survey findings on Tuesday, calling the study a "subjective indicator of well-being" while highlighting government achievements in poverty reduction programs.

"Unang-una po, alam naman po natin ang survey ng SWS ay subjective indicator of well-being,” [First of all, we know that the SWS survey is a subjective indicator of well-being,"] Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told Palace reporters.

“Aalamin po, aaralin po kung saan ito nanggagaling, kung may kakulangan at kung saan may kakulangan at aalamin din po ang pinaka-official data mula sa PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) na siyang gumagamit ng objective and income-based measure,”

["We will study where this is coming from, if there are shortcomings and where there are shortcomings, and we will also look at the most official data from the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority), which uses an objective and income-based measure."]

Castro emphasized that the government would not ignore the survey results.

“But still, hindi po naman ito magbibingi-bingihan ang gobyerno at lahat naman po ng ating madidinig ay papakinggan po para mas maging maganda pa po ang serbisyo ng pamahalaan sa ating mga kababayan,” she said.

["Still, the government will not turn a deaf ear and everything we hear will be listened to so that government service to our countrymen can be improved."]

The Palace spokesperson pointed to other government reports showing positive economic indicators. Castro noted that the Philippines has recorded a 96.1% employment rate in recent months, while inflation has remained within the government's target at 1.7%.

She also highlighted various social welfare programs currently being implemented. 

Castro also noted that 860,471 members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) have graduated from the conditional cash transfer program. 

Despite the survey results, Malacañang expressed confidence that the Philippines can overcome economic challenges, including the weakening peso. The Palace cited an expected increase in remittances during the holiday season and strong tourism as positive factors for the economy.

The Palace indicated it would provide additional comments once President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s economic managers issue a statement on the poverty survey results.

The SWS survey, conducted from September 24 to 30, interviewed 1,500 adults nationwide through face-to-face interviews. The sample included 300 respondents from Metro Manila, 600 from Balance Luzon, 300 from the Visayas, and 300 from Mindanao, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points for national figures.

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