Poverty incidence highest among farmers, fisherfolk, rural dwellers

While nationwide poverty incidence fell to 16.6 percent in 2018 and was reflected across 11 basic sectors, Filipinos living and working in the countryside remained poorer compared with those in urban areas, a Philippine Statistics Authority report said.

Preliminary estimates of poverty incidence, or the proportion of poor Filipinos whose incomes are insufficient to meet their basic needs, showed the highest rates in 2018—albeit lower than 2015 figures—were among farmers (31.6 percent in 2018, down from 40.8 percent in 2015), fisherfolk (26.2 percent, down from 36.9 percent) and individuals residing in rural areas (24.5 percent, down from 34 percent).

The number of poor farmers in 2018 declined to 2.4 million from 3.7 million in 2015; fisherfolk, down to 453,200 from 287,100; and rural dwellers, down to 12.6 million from 18.1 million.

Among children, poverty incidence declined to 23.9 percent from 33.5 percent in 2016. Still, it was the fourth highest rate among the sectors.

As for self-employed and unpaid family workers, poverty incidence rate was 18 percent (against 26.2 percent in 2015), and among women, 16.6 percent (versus 23.9 percent previously).