Phl hunger rate rises to 27.2%, highest since pandemic — SWS

The number of Filipinos experiencing involuntary hunger has surged to its highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a national survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Stratbase.

Conducted from March 15 to 20, 2025, the survey revealed that 27.2 percent of Filipino families — approximately 7.5 million households — experienced involuntary hunger in the past three months. This represents a 6-point increase from February’s 21.2 percent and a 7-point jump from the 2024 annual average of 20.2 percent. The last time hunger levels were this severe was in September 2020, when it peaked at 30.7 percent.

Hunger on the rise across regions

The sharp increase in hunger rates was driven by significant spikes across most regions:

• Visayas recorded the highest hunger rate at 33.7 percent, surging from 20 percent in February.

• Metro Manila followed at 28.3 percent, though its rate remained largely unchanged.

• Mindanao saw a 4-point increase, rising from 23.3 percent to 27.3 percent.

• Luzon outside Metro Manila recorded 24.0 percent, up by 4.9 points from 19.1 percent.

Among those experiencing hunger:

• 21.0 percent reported "moderate hunger", meaning they were hungry at least once or a few times in the past three months.

• 6.2 percent suffered "severe hunger", experiencing hunger “often” or “always.”

Compared to February, "moderate hunger" rose significantly by 5.1 points from 15.8%, while "severe hunger" saw a slight increase of 0.9 points from 5.3%.

The March 2024 National Survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,800 registered voters nationwide.

To address rising food costs, the government, over the past months, has introduced measures aimed at stabilizing agricultural prices:

• Pork producers have agreed to lower farmgate prices from P250–P260 per kilo to P230.

• The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reduced the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of imported rice to P45 per kilo, making it more affordable for consumers. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the reduced MSRP contributed to the 2.1 percent inflation rate in March, helping bring down rice prices.