NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Rising Hunger Grips Filipino Families, Metro Manila Bears Brunt
Photo credit: SWS
The latest results from the National Social Weather Survey conducted from March 21-25, 2024, reveal a concerning surge in hunger among Filipino families. The survey, conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), found that 14.2% of Filipino households experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months, marking a 1.6-point increase compared to December 2023 figures.
Metro Manila emerged as the epicenter of hunger, with 19.0% of families experiencing food deprivation, followed by Balance Luzon at 15.3%, the Visayas at 15.0%, and Mindanao at 8.7%. The increase in hunger rates was particularly stark in Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Balance Luzon, while Mindanao saw a slight decline.
Moderate hunger, defined as experiencing hunger "Only Once" or "A Few Times" in the last three months, rose by 1.0 point to 12.2%, while severe hunger, categorized as experiencing hunger "Often" or "Always," increased by 0.6 points to 2.0%.
Analyzing hunger rates among different economic strata, the survey found that while 46% of Filipino families rated themselves as poor, hunger rates among the non-poor also saw a significant rise. Total hunger among the non-poor increased from 5.9% to 9.8%, contrasting with a slight decrease among the self-rated poor, from 20.1% to 19.3%.
The survey, which interviewed 1,500 adults nationwide, highlighted the acute nature of hunger, with families facing varying degrees of food insecurity across regions. These findings underscore the urgency of addressing food security issues and implementing effective measures to alleviate hunger and poverty among Filipino households.
SWS conducted the survey through face-to-face interviews, a method resumed in November 2020 after temporary adjustments early in the pandemic. The survey's results provide valuable insights into the evolving socio-economic landscape of the Philippines and serve as a call to action for policymakers to prioritize initiatives aimed at combating hunger and poverty.
Metro Manila emerged as the epicenter of hunger, with 19.0% of families experiencing food deprivation, followed by Balance Luzon at 15.3%, the Visayas at 15.0%, and Mindanao at 8.7%. The increase in hunger rates was particularly stark in Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Balance Luzon, while Mindanao saw a slight decline.
Moderate hunger, defined as experiencing hunger "Only Once" or "A Few Times" in the last three months, rose by 1.0 point to 12.2%, while severe hunger, categorized as experiencing hunger "Often" or "Always," increased by 0.6 points to 2.0%.
Analyzing hunger rates among different economic strata, the survey found that while 46% of Filipino families rated themselves as poor, hunger rates among the non-poor also saw a significant rise. Total hunger among the non-poor increased from 5.9% to 9.8%, contrasting with a slight decrease among the self-rated poor, from 20.1% to 19.3%.
The survey, which interviewed 1,500 adults nationwide, highlighted the acute nature of hunger, with families facing varying degrees of food insecurity across regions. These findings underscore the urgency of addressing food security issues and implementing effective measures to alleviate hunger and poverty among Filipino households.
SWS conducted the survey through face-to-face interviews, a method resumed in November 2020 after temporary adjustments early in the pandemic. The survey's results provide valuable insights into the evolving socio-economic landscape of the Philippines and serve as a call to action for policymakers to prioritize initiatives aimed at combating hunger and poverty.
May 1, 2024
