6.5 million Filipinos lifted out of poverty – PSA
An estimated 6.5 million Filipinos were lifted out of poverty between 2023 and 2025 as the poverty incidence fell to its lowest rate last year.
Between 2023 and 2025, an estimated 6.5 million Filipinos were lifted out of poverty, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The poverty incidence decreased to 9.7 percent in 2025 from 15.5 percent in 2023 and 18.1 percent in 2021. This marked the first time that fewer than one in ten Filipinos were living below the poverty line.
The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan attributed this achievement to sustained economic growth, easing inflation, and favorable labor market conditions that created more economic opportunities. The country's poverty rate fell due to a GDP growth averaging 5.1 percent in 2024 and 2025, inflation averaging 2.5 percent, and unemployment at four percent.
Nominal incomes increased by about 22 percent across income deciles between 2023 and 2025, showing that income growth benefited all income groups. Despite this progress, Balisacan warned that further poverty reduction might be slowed due to current challenges such as high inflation and weak economic growth. He emphasized the importance of sustaining these gains by promoting economic growth, increasing investment and productivity, and supporting businesses and workers affected by disruptions.
Written by urgent.news from Philippine Star Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
