Poverty threshold rises to P13,916 — NEDA statistical yearbook

The annual per capita poverty threshold or the amount to be spent to satisfy one’s nutritional requirements (2,000 calories) and other basic goods in a year has gone up from P11,388 in 1997 to P13,916 in 2000.

In other words, one is considered poor if he lives below the annual per capita poverty threshold of P13,916.

If it took P31.20 a day in 1997 for one Filipino to meet his basic food and non-food requirements, it now takes P38.12 a day. If your family has five members, then you multiply P13,916 by five to see how much you need to earn for your household to meet the basic food and non-food requirements.

If you live in Metro Manila, the poverty threshold is P18,000 and if you reside outside the National Capital Region, say in Eastern Visayas, the poverty threshold is P10,868.

There is also a marked increase in the magnitude of poor families on the number of families whose annual per capita income falls below the annual poverty threshold. In 2000 there were 5.2 million families living below the poverty threshold compared to 4.5 million families in1997.

These data and more can be found in the newly released 2001 Philippine Statistical Yearbook (PSY). The 2001 PSY now includes 78 additional tables, reaffirming the NSCB’s commitment to do its best in making every edition of the PSY a better source document of statistical information.

The PSY also presents in time series, statistics about the country’s macro and micro environment. These statistics are compiled from results of surveys and censuses conducted by the Philippine Statistical System, from the records of administrative and regulatory agencies of the government, as well as from the data gathered by the local and international organizations. The PSY contains data which are disaggregated in different dimensions as useful tools in the conduct of feasibility studies, strategic planning, and socio economic policy decision making.

For inquiries, visit or call, the National Economic and Development Authority Publications Division, NEDA Bldg., Blessed Jose Escriva Drive (formerly Amber Ave.) Pasig City. Tel. no. 6313281 or e-mail [email protected]