Philippines' wealth gap hits crisis as richest 10% own triple the rest

Wealth inequality in the Philippines has reached extreme levels, with the richest 10% holding nearly three times the wealth of the bottom 90% combined. New calls for a wealth tax and wage hikes have grown louder, as labour groups and activists push for systemic change amid rising worker deaths and soaring living costs. Recent data shows the top 1% of Filipinos controlled ₱17.9 trillion in 2022—almost triple the ₱6 trillion net worth of the poorest half of the population. Meanwhile, the richest 10% held ₱40 trillion, dwarfing the ₱15 trillion combined wealth of the remaining 90%.

Labour and rights groups, including the Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), have demanded a wealth tax to fund public services. Lidy Nacpil, APMDD coordinator, called it a matter of justice and fiscal necessity. Sonny Africa of Ibon Foundation estimated such a tax could raise ₱500–600 billion yearly—enough to fully cover the national health budget. The Church People-Workers Solidarity highlighted the widening gap between wages and living costs. In the National Capital Region, the minimum wage stands at ₱695 per day, far below the ₱1,266 daily Family Living Wage. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza urged top officials to cut their own salaries and perks amid corruption scandals. Workplace safety remains dire, with at least one worker dying daily from preventable accidents in 2025, according to the Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD). APMDD’s slogan—*tax the billionaires and polluters, not workers*—has become a rallying cry for reform.

The push for a wealth tax and higher wages reflects growing frustration over inequality and unmet basic needs. With potential revenues of ₱502 billion, advocates argue the funds could address healthcare, safety, and cost-of-living crises. The debate now centres on whether policymakers will act on these demands.