Manila: About 35 percent, or an estimated 9.2 million Filipino households, consider themselves poor, based on the first quarter survey of OCTA Research released on Wednesday. This figure is slightly lower than the 37 percent recorded during the survey in the last quarter of 2025.

According to Philippines News Agency, the slight decline in self-rated poverty could suggest a modest improvement in overall economic conditions, as noted by OCTA. However, OCTA Research indicated that the difference is not statistically significant and remains within the survey's margin of error. The survey, held from March 19 to 25, involved 1,200 adults who were asked where they would place their family on a self-assessment card.

At least 24 percent of respondents identified as "not poor," while 41 percent were uncertain, responding with "can't say if poor or not poor." The self-rated poverty is highest in Mindanao, at 56 percent, followed by the Visayas, at 44 percent. By socioeconomic class, self-rated poverty is higher among lower-income families, with 58 percent of Class E households considering themselves poor, compared with 35 percent among Class D and 15 percent among Class ABC.

The survey has a ±3 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level. "Results may be best understood as a pre-shock baseline, before higher transport and food costs began exerting broader pressure on household welfare and food access," OCTA stated.