Philippines: cost of living

What is the poverty rate in the Philippines?

9.7% of Filipinos lived below the poverty threshold in 2025, down from 15.5% in 2023, according to the Department of Budget and Management Technical Notes on the 2027 Proposed National Budget, citing official poverty statistics. The number of poor Filipinos fell from 17.54 million to 11.08 million. Poverty among families fell from 10.9% to 6.4%.

Official poverty statistics are compiled by the Philippine Statistics Authority, which compares family income with a poverty threshold covering basic food and non-food needs. The World Bank also reports 9.7% for 2025. The DBM notes that many households remain vulnerable to falling into poverty from illness, job loss, disasters or food price rises.

Official sources: DBM: Technical Notes on the 2027 Proposed National Budget (PDF) · World Bank: poverty at national poverty lines, Philippines

How fast are prices rising in the Philippines?

The government forecasts inflation of 6.0% to 7.0% in 2026, up from 1.7% in 2025, according to the Department of Budget and Management Technical Notes on the 2027 Proposed National Budget. Consumer prices rose 3.2% in 2024 and 6.0% in 2023, according to the World Bank.

The budget documents point to higher energy and food prices driven by global tensions. The government assumes Dubai crude oil at US$80 to US$100 a barrel in 2026, against US$68.35 in 2025. The Philippine Statistics Authority publishes monthly prices by commodity and region; its site blocked automated access on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: DBM: Technical Notes on the 2027 Proposed National Budget (PDF) · World Bank: inflation, consumer prices, Philippines

How much does the 4Ps cash transfer programme get?

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the conditional cash transfer for poor households, is given ₱99.1 billion in the 2027 proposed budget, according to the Department of Budget and Management Technical Notes on the 2027 Proposed National Budget. Total social protection spending is ₱546.0 billion, up from ₱466.5 billion, or 7.6% of the budget.

Other social protection items include ₱55.2 billion for senior citizens and ₱117.9 billion for survivors, displaced people and disaster relief. The figures are proposals in the National Expenditure Program and can change when Congress passes the General Appropriations Act.

Official sources: DBM: Technical Notes on the 2027 Proposed National Budget (PDF)

What is the inflation rate in the Philippines?

In 2025, consumer price inflation in the Philippines was 1.7%, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 8.3%; its low point was 2015, at 0.7%. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.2%; the Philippines is 15th highest of 24. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 118th highest.

How much do people in the Philippines spend?

The World Bank puts household consumption per person in the Philippines at $2,905 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was $3,794, and the Philippines placed 9th highest of 12. Of 124 countries with 2025 data, 77th highest.

What share of people in the Philippines live in extreme poverty?

According to the World Bank, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in the Philippines was 5.3% in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2006. Worldwide: 10th of 59.

What share of the Philippines lives below the poverty line?

In 2025, the share of people below the national poverty line in the Philippines was 9.7%, according to the World Bank.

What is income inequality in the Philippines?

39.3: that is the Gini index in the Philippines for 2023, according to the World Bank. No year since 2006 has been lower. World rank, highest first: 18th of 59.

What is food insecurity in the Philippines?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 32.7%. No year since 2018 has been lower. East Asia & Pacific median: 15.4%; the Philippines is 4th highest of 17. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 45th highest.