Over 52 million Filipinos cannot afford nutritious food: FAO

MANILA — An estimated 52.6 million Filipinos are unable to afford a nutritionally adequate diet in 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reported, highlighting deepening food security concerns in the country.

The finding indicates that roughly half the Philippine population cannot allocate resources for healthy, balanced meals after accounting for other essential household expenses. The data reflects the gap between minimum dietary requirements and the purchasing power of millions of Filipino households struggling with economic pressures.

FAO analysis demonstrates that food affordability remains a critical barrier to nutrition security across the archipelago. Families prioritizing immediate survival needs—housing, utilities, and basic goods—frequently sacrifice dietary quality and nutritional diversity to stretch limited budgets.

The situation underscores persistent challenges in the nation's food system and highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve household incomes and reduce the cost of nutritious foods. Policymakers face mounting pressure to address systemic factors contributing to widespread food insecurity among the Filipino population.

The FAO data comes as the Philippines grapples with inflation, employment volatility, and widening income inequality affecting access to adequate nutrition across urban and rural communities.