Top 10 poorest cities in the Philippines 2023

What is the rate of poverty? It is the percentage of poor people or families in the general population; this includes those whose income is below the poverty line or who cannot afford to meet their basic necessities.

A family of five must earn at least P8, 778 a month to be deemed non-poor. To avoid being labelled as poor, a person must also make at least P10, 534 over the course of six months.

The Philippines’ top 10 cities with the greatest rate of family poverty are listed below.

1. Lanao del Sur

A province of the Philippines called Lanao del Sur is situated in Muslim Mindanao’s Autonomous Region (ARMM). With a 67.3% poverty incidence, it continues to rank first among the provinces with the highest number of poor families. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA2010 )’s Census and Housing Population report likewise reveals a sharp decline in the province’s population, from 1,138,544 in 2007 to 933,260 in 2010, a 6.98% decrease.

2. Maguindanao

Maguindanao is a part of Muslim Mindanao’s Autonomous Region (ARMM). With a 54.5% poverty incidence, it ranks fourth among the poorest provinces in that nation. Due to the Maguindanao massacre, where 57 people were killed—including the wife and sisters of Buluan Vice-Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, followers of Mangudadatu, local journalists, and bystanders—this province became one of the most talked-about provinces.

After killing the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist Zulkifli Abdhir aka Marwan, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters allegedly killed 44 members of the Special Action Force in the deadly Mamasapano encounter on January 25, 2015.

3. Northern Samar

One of the three (3) provinces that make up the Island of Samar is Northern Samar. Although the majority of travellers are unaware of it, its tourism industry has immense potential. According to the NAPC research, the province’s 43.5% poverty rate could decrease once its tourist attractions are properly utilised.

4. Sarangani

The South Cotabato-Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-Gen. Santos City (SOCCSKSARGEN) region includes Sarangani, which has a 46.0% poverty incidence rate. Roman Catholicism predominates in this province, which is located in Mindanao, with 63% of the population being Roman Catholic.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest City in the Philippines

5. Sulu

Sulu is a province of the Philippines located in Muslim Mindanao’s Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and the Sulu Archipelago. On the same-named island, Jolo serves as the nation’s capital. The province is also home to Maimbung, the Sultanate of Sulu’s capital.

6. Siquijor

The capital of the Philippine province of Siquijor, Siquijor, also known as the Municipality of Siquijor, is a 4th class municipality. Its population as of the 2020 census is 28,915 individuals.

7. Zamboanga del Norte

The Zamboanga Peninsula includes Zamboanga del Norte. With a poverty incidence rate of 48.0%, it is presently the fifth poorest province in the Philippines, down from first place in 2006 when it had a poverty incidence rate of 64.6%.

8. Sultan Kudarat

In the Soccsksargen region of Mindanao, Sultan Kudarat, also known as the Province of Sultan Kudarat, is a province of the Philippines. Its commercial hub is Tacurong, and its capital is Isulan.

9. Agusan del Sur

Agusan del Sur is a province in the Philippine island of Mindanao’s Caraga area. Prosperidad Municipality serves as its capital. Its neighbours are Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental in the northwest; Surigao del Sur in the east; Davao Oriental in the southeast; Davao de Oro in the middle of the south; Davao del Norte in the southwest; and Bukidnon in the centre of the west. In terms of size, it is the fourth-largest province in the nation.

10. Western Samar

With a 43.5% poverty rate, Western Samar is another recent addition to the list of the poorest provinces in the nation, joining Northern Samar. The residents’ way of life was significantly impacted by the super typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2013, which hit this province particularly hard.