Project TALAS: Near-poor households in the Philippines and the role of social protection

Near-poor households, those living just above the poverty line, face several challenges that put them at risk of falling into poverty. As DSWD continues to expand its services towards universal social protection, it is important for the agency to reflect on the needs, realities, and vulnerabilities of Filipinos living on the knife-edge of uncertainty.

Last 10 April 2025, Ms. Katharina Bollig from the Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI) presented the initial findings of their Near-Poor Study to the Policy Development and Planning Bureau (PDPB). She offered insights on an updated threshold to identify near-poor households, key characteristics of these households, and the potential impact and costs of expanding existing social protection programs to include the near-poor.

The study was commissioned by UNICEF and funded by the Australian Government.