Household headship and poverty in the Philippines: a gendered perspective
Date
2025-06-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between household headship and poverty in the Philippines, utilizing pooled cross-sectional data from the 2006–2021 Family Income and Expenditure Survey-Labor Force Survey (FIES-LFS). Employing econometric analysis with ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions and region-year fixed effects, the research reveals that female-headed households (FHHs) consistently experience higher poverty rates than male-headed households (MHHs), even after controlling for education, employment, place of residence, marital status, and family size. Contrary to expectations, higher educational attainment among FHHs is associated with increased poverty rates, suggesting issues like underemployment and credential mismatch in the labor market. Additionally, significant regional disparities are identified, particularly in ARMM, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas. Grounded in the Feminization of Poverty theory, the Gender and Development framework, and Human Capital Theory, the study underscores the need for gender-sensitive social protection programs, labor market reforms, and region-specific poverty alleviation strategies to foster inclusive development in the Philippines.
Description
Keywords
household headship, household, Poverty