Poorest City in the Philippines: Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte (72.8% Poverty Incidence, 2020)

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (2020), the poorest city/municipality is Sibuco in Zamboanga del Norte (Mindanao), with a poverty incidence of 72.8%.

📍 Context:

• Sibuco is a 4th-class municipality (not a city; Philippines distinguishes cities/municipalities).
• Remote, coastal, predominantly Muslim (Tausug, Sama), conflict-affected (Abu Sayyaf presence).
• Limited infrastructure, services, economic opportunities.

Other High-Poverty Areas (2020):

• Barira, Maguindanao (71.5%)
• Datang, Zamboanga del Sur (69.8%)
• Several in BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region) and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Note: "City" in Philippines has specific legal criteria (income, population). Many poorest areas are municipalities. Poverty data from Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) + small area estimation.