Name: Samantha R.

Leal
Course & Sec: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science PSC31
Subject: Political Economy
Professor: Mr. Jumel G. Estrañero
University: De La Salle University – Dasmariñas

Poverty and Homelessness: Facts and Statistics in the Philippines

The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, yet it

is facing a homeless crisis. There are approximately 4.5 million homeless people,
including children in the Philippines, which has a population of 106 million people.
Homelessness in the Philippines is caused by a variety of reasons, including lost jobs,
insufficient income or lack of a stable job that is why poverty and homelessness are
worldwide problems, and it affects all strata of the population in the Philippines.
According to the World Bank Data, 6.1% of the population live on less than ₱104 per
day, 26% live on less than ₱175.37 per day and 55.1% live on less than ₱301.42 per
day which leads to Filipinos to lives in a condition that harm their health and safety.
Although the unemployment rate in the Philippines is dropped further to (4.2 % in
November 2022) marking the new lowest since records began in 1986 and from 6.5
percent in the same month a year ago however according to the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA), poverty incidence rose to 18.1 percent of the
population or about 20 million people in 2021 from 16.7 percent or 17.7 million Filipinos
in 2018. As a result, Low income can make it difficult for many families in the
Philippines, especially those living in Manila, to pay rent. Moreover, Widespread
corruption in both Filipino politics and business prevents any opportunities for social
mobility and growth.  Power is concentrated among influential families and connected
individuals, offering the poor truly little chance of bettering themselves.