2024 Poverty Stats in the Philippines
Explore the 2024 Poverty Stats in the Philippines and understand the ongoing challenges. The poverty rate dropped to 22.4%, but the first-half 2023 stats were at 23.7%. Over 110 million people face challenges, influenced by weather and rising inflation. Dive into this article for insights into Poverty in the Philippines in 2024 and current statistics.
Poverty in the Philippines 2024
The Philippine economy experiences a cycle of growth and downturns, impacting moderate expansion. Unfortunately, poverty cuts across income levels, sectors, and regions, exacerbated by an unmanaged rising population. Several factors contribute to the persistence of poverty in the Philippines, including low to moderate economic growth over the past four decades, limiting the effectiveness of poverty reduction efforts. Additionally, weaknesses in employment generation hinder the creation of quality jobs in various sectors, hindering full-fledged development.
The economic crisis, coupled with escalating inflation and persistent high inequality, has strained the positive impacts of economic expansion. Federal analysts foresee significant challenges for the Philippines in 2024, particularly concerning the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The targeted GDP range has been narrowed to 6.5-7.5%, down from the previous 6.5-8%, indicating the anticipated hurdles ahead.
In the Philippines, 18.1% of the population lives below the national poverty line, earning less than $1.90 at purchasing power parity per day, up from 2.2% in 2022. The poverty rate and the mortality rate (26 per 1000 live births in 2021) highlight ongoing challenges. As we enter 2024, it’s an opportunity for a fresh start, leaving behind past obstacles. The latest survey from the federal Social Weather Stations indicates an improvement in the quality of life over the past 12 months.
What are the Philippines’ current poverty statistics for 2024?
As of December 2023, the Philippines’ poverty rate stands at 22.4%, still aiming to achieve the 9% target set by President Ferdinand R. Marcos for 2028. According to the Federal World Bank, the projected poverty rate is expected to decline from 17.8% in 2021 to 13.7% in 2023 and further to 10.7% in 2024. The official poverty methodology in the Philippines relies on pretax income to gauge current poverty statistics and assess household welfare.
Poverty is a condition marked by insufficient individual income to cover basic needs like shelter, food, clothing, and other essentials. This widespread issue prompts the development of new government policies amidst ongoing conflicts. Despite the rise in poverty, the Philippines’ economy is demonstrating resilience, showing a robust recovery from COVID-19. Notably, the GDP growth has gained momentum, reaching 5.9% in the third quarter of 2023.
Poverty takes center stage as inflation rises, prompting reforms to boost economic growth and intensified efforts to address the inflationary challenges. In the Philippines, targeted programs, allowances, and the federal living savings program intervene to assist low and moderate-income households in coping with the adverse effects of inflation. The Federal government implements critical measures to control poverty, aiming to achieve a target poverty rate of 6.5-7.5% in January 2024, with significant implications for the overall economy.