A survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed that 12.6 percent of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger in December 2023.

“Compared to September 2023, hunger rose by 2.8 points from 9.8 percent,” SWS said.

According to SWS, involuntary hunger means “being hungry and not having anything to eat at least once in the past three months.”

SWS said the hunger rate on December 12 was an accumulation of 11.2 percent who experienced moderate hunger and 1.4 percent severe hunger.

SWS showed that hunger rose in every area of the country with Balance Luzon (areas in Luzon outside of the metropolis) receiving the highest percentage at 14.3 from 10.3. Mindanao trailed behind at 12 percent from 6.7 and the Visayas at 9.3 percent from 6.7.

Meanwhile, only Metro Manila saw a decrease from 17.3 percent to 12.7 percent.

The survey was conducted through in-person interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide from December 8 to 11 last year, with 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.