Cordillera - The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is among the regions with the lowest poverty incidence among families based on the 2021 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics.
In the preliminary results of the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) conducted last year, it was stated that a significant decrease in poverty incidence was recorded in the Cordillera including Region XI and ARMM/BARMM.
Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, it is estimated that the poverty incidence in the region had reached 6.9% in 2021 from 8.6% in 2018 and 17.1% in 2015.
The province of Benguet is among the provinces with the least poverty incidence among families in 2015, 2018, and 2021 data. Those included in the least poor cluster in 2021 are Apayao (4.7% from 16% in 2018), Ifugao (6% from 9.9% in 2018), Kalinga (5.6% from 9.2% in 2018), and seven other provinces.
The poverty incidence in the city of Baguio also decreased, reaching 1% from 1.5% in 2018.
Meanwhile, the 2021 Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold of Cordillera had increased to P28,304 from P24,907 in 2018. This means that a five-member family needs approximately P11,793 to cover their monthly needs.
Mountain Province has the highest annual per capita poverty threshold reaching P31,063 from P27,815 in 2018 followed by Abra which is P29,321 from P23,596 in 2018, and Ifugao which is P28,734 from P26 ,429 in 2018.
The poverty threshold is the minimum income needed for the basic food and non-food needs of a family. In 2021, the national poverty threshold or the basic food and non-food needs of a family of five members for a month is estimated to be P12,030.
Meanwhile, the average family income needed for the minimum basic food needs of a five-member family is P8,379 per month.
