General Info

[QUOTE=Red Kilt; 1283961]Shop girls get between 250 and 400 php per day for a 6-day week depending on their employer.

Call center operators get 16, 000 to 25, 000 per month (pesos)

Do your own sums on these base amounts and you do not get near $12, 000 USD and you surely don't get an "average". Those salaries constitute the income for the majority of workers. Factor in the rice farmers (all subsistence farmers) since they live on chicken feed per week average income.

I am NOT an economist but having lived here for more than 15 years such a figure ($12, 000 USD annual income) is absurd.[/QUOTE]On top of it, even call center staff, atleast the dozens or so I know, don't go home with half that number, with a lot of spurious deductions and cash advances etc. Etc.

Oh, the norm is for even Mall workers to PAY FOR THEIR OWN PLACEMENT, or Uniform cost etc. Etc. So when they start work, they are already at a minus, till the first year goes by, if they don't get fired. The first time I heard of it, I thought it was a scam.

When I sponsored a girl to join Convergant, I though the girl is puling a fast one, when she said there is fee and more.

She was naive enough to give me her HR Login, and I did see the whole heap of spurious fees deducted from her, on a monthly basis. No wonder even Call Center woman are busy trying to live up the high life, with a bit of "FOREIGN REVENUE"

Try to demand the recently announced minimum wage out in the provinces. The actual normal daily wage a girl will get in most areas outside the largest cities is around 200. 250P per day for a 10. 12 hour shift. Typical Philippines law. Don't mean a thing.

Just to add another perspective to the discussion.

A university professor has a salary of about 30,000 pesos per month.

G

the attached file contains a table i ripped off from a report on the social weather stations website. it's a reflection of income distribution in the philippines from 1961 to 2009. it shows that income distribution remained relatively constant over time, from before marcos' martial law, to the end of martial law, and since martial law—with the top 50% of families earning approximately 80% of all income.

also, a note about 'average' income in the philippines. the figure of 5,800 pesos that mb cited is presumably an arithmetic mean. the mean is not a good measure for 'average' income because a few big rollers distort the figure upward. median income—the dividing line at which half of households earn more and half earn less—is a more realistic measure for average income. according to the sws table, median household income in the philippines was 135,000 pesos in 2009. at mid year in 2009 the us$ to php conversion rate was 48.0. so 2009 median household income was about us$2812.

i also did a quick web search for comparable numbers for the united states. i found some congressional budget office data for 2005 income. i didn't have time to look for more recent numbers. the data are broken down in quintiles (brackets of 20% of the population), so i can't give an exact comparison against the philippines' top 50%. nonetheless, the data show that the top 20% earned 55.1% of u.s. income, the next 20% earned 19.8 percent of income, and the middle 20% earned 13.5%. so the top 40% earned 74.9% of income in the united states in 2005. and if we assume that income in the middle 20% is skewed upward, then the top 50% in the u.s. actually earned more than 80% of total income.

is there something i'm missing here? i'm open to suggestions. these data suggest that income distribution is not much different between the u.s. and the philippines. in europe, based on numbers i've seen, the gulf between average citizens and the superrich is not so stark, but clearly there are superrich there too. in the philippines the lifestyle differences hit you in the face. families sleeping on cardboard on the streets of ermita, and the well-to-do driving nice cars, visiting their second homes in tagaytay, and living in gated communities. in the u.s. much of the wealth is hidden in wall street skyscrapers and collecting dust (metaphorically) in huge bank accounts. when the amounts of wealth are so vast, there are only so many cars and homes a person can buy. so the money sits idle—or flashing from one investment to the next via transactions controlled by computers. so the same distorted distribution of wealth is present in the u.s. as well, but just not so visible to the eye.

[QUOTE=Skip Kost;1284274]\According to the SWS table, median household income in the Philippines was 135,000 pesos in 2009. At mid year in 2009 the US$ to PhP conversion rate was 48.0. So 2009 median household income was about US$2812.[/QUOTE]Thanks for this helpful post, Skip Kost. Great to get some actual data here, and not just the anecdotal information most of us have. I am struck that $2812 is median household income, not per capital income. Makes me wonder what counts for a household in PI census data, since people tend to live in loose extended families, with those who have jobs sharing with those who don't. Bottom line is that the 1000 pesos a guy gives an amateur after a night with him represents more than 3 days of the median family wage. The equivalent would be giving a girl $250 in the US, if my math is right.

Great analysis you guys! But at the end of the day, you would also have to factor in the cost of living in this country.

[QUOTE=Oohlala;1284342]Great analysis you guys! But at the end of the day, you would also have to factor in the cost of living in this country.[/QUOTE]Cost of living where in the Philippines?

[QUOTE=MangoBob68; 1283982]Hello gentlemen,

I didn't want to leave it at what I have observed in my years visiting the Philippines so here is a cut and past from doing some income research for the Philippines: Average Salary and Economy.

Average annual income in Philippines is around 248, 182 PHP (5, 800 USD) , according to 2011/2012 salary survey.

Philippines economy was in 2011 the 43rd largest on the world by its GDP. The largest industries in Philippines are electronics, outsourcing, automotive, mining and natural resources.

For example average salary of a CPA. Certified Public Accountant is around 360, 200 PHP. Operations Managers earn around 949, 000 PHP per year.

IT Average Salaries.

Employees in IT receive in average from around 450, 000 PHP to around 700, 000 PHP or more per year.

Zdnet Asia survey shows salaries from IT below. Survey is from year 2009 and salaries should be around 15. 20% higher in year 2012.

So if you are an IT tech you could be making $12, 000 to $15, 000 per year.[/QUOTE]Not sure if I trust the data from salarysurvey. Com. It's a survey of limited popuplation. If you read the website, the analysis was based on a limited set of 400+ respondent. There are 96 million Filipino and I don't think 400+ people's salary information is a good representation of the country.

I think the world banks' data is more reliable. [url]http://data.worldbank.org/country/philippines.[/url] GNI for 2010 was US$2060. 26% of the filipinos live in poverty as of 2009 and with the recent unemployment data, I would think the poverty level would be higher.

[QUOTE=Questor55;1284008]Try to demand the recently announced minimum wage out in the provinces. The actual normal daily wage a girl will get in most areas outside the largest cities is around 200. 250P per day for a 10. 12 hour shift. Typical Philippines law. Don't mean a thing.[/QUOTE]I know 2 internet cafe attendants in different mindanao provinces, all earn p50 / day for 12-hour shift (and are glad to have it). Don't mean a thing. Actually, the minimum wage is different for different parts of the country. But p50 doesn't hit the mark anywhere.

[QUOTE=Gangles; 1284179]Just to add another perspective to the discussion.

A university professor has a salary of about 30, 000 pesos per month.

G[/QUOTE]Unmarried GPs in Govt hospitals are paid 34, 000 and after "deductions" end up with 22, 000.

I am talking of GPs / Physicians who are MOs.

No wonder nobody want to work in Govt Hospital unless they are really attached to it. Or they have other interests. Like some govt hospitals quitely they run their own private consultation. Imagine working in an island, where air fare costs 6, 000 peso return, and well, food and lodging provided, but it is really a pittance to work on that kind of pay. Of course, if you take a ferry and risk your life, your travel cost will be much lesser. And take a few hours in the rough seas.

Upon going Private, I know a doctor who was drawing just over 1, 200, 000 peso per year, before tax. Her clinic was located in the mountain province City. If she had been in Manila, or some major metropolis, her guess was she would be drawing twice that, as her other former colleagues are drawing.

[quote=skip kost;1284274]is there something i'm missing here? i'm open to suggestions. these data suggest that income distribution is not much different between the u.s. and the philippines. in europe, based on numbers i've seen, the gulf between average citizens and the superrich is not so stark, but clearly there are superrich there too. in the philippines the lifestyle differences hit you in the face. families sleeping on cardboard on the streets of ermita, and the well-to-do driving nice cars, visiting their second homes in tagaytay, and living in gated communities. in the u.s. much of the wealth is hidden in wall street skyscrapers and collecting dust (metaphorically) in huge bank accounts. when the amounts of wealth are so vast, there are only so many cars and homes a person can buy. so the money sits idle—or flashing from one investment to the next via transactions controlled by computers. so the same distorted distribution of wealth is present in the u.s. as well, but just not so visible to the eye.[/quote]great post, i keep telling people they are not poor here it just the peso is undervalued by 7 fold,

[QUOTE=Oohlala;1284342]Great analysis you guys! But at the end of the day, you would also have to factor in the cost of living in this country.[/QUOTE]From aust it is 10 fold cheaper to live here, I would pay 10 times more to live the same life back in aust

[quote=skip kost; 1284274]the attached file contains a table i ripped off from a report on the social weather stations website. it's a reflection of income distribution in the philippines from 1961 to 2009. it shows that income distribution remained relatively constant over time, from before marcos' martial law, to the end of martial law, and since martial law—with the top 50% of families earning approximately 80% of all income.

also, a note about 'average' income in the philippines. the figure of 5, 800 pesos that mb cited is presumably an arithmetic mean. the mean is not a good measure for 'average' income because a few big rollers distort the figure upward. median income—the dividing line at which half of households earn more and half earn less—is a more realistic measure for average income. according to the sws table, median household income in the philippines was 135, 000 pesos in 2009. at mid year in 2009 the us$ to php conversion rate was 48. 0. so 2009 median household income was about us$2812.

i also did a quick web search for comparable numbers for the united states. i found some congressional budget office data for 2005 income. i didn't have time to look for more recent numbers. the data are broken down in quintiles (brackets of 20% of the population) , so i can't give an exact comparison against the philippines' top 50. nonetheless, the data show that the top 20% earned 55. 1% of usa income, the next 20% earned 19. 8 percent of income, and the middle 20% earned 13. 5. so the top 40% earned 74. 9% of income in the united states in 2005. and if we assume that income in the middle 20% is skewed upward, then the top 50% in the usa actually earned more than 80% of total income.

is there something i'm missing here? i'm open to suggestions. these data suggest that income distribution is not much different between the usa and the philippines. in europe, based on numbers i've seen, the gulf between average citizens and the superrich is not so stark, but clearly there are superrich there too. in the philippines the lifestyle differences hit you in the face. families sleeping on cardboard on the streets of ermita, and the well-to-do driving nice cars, visiting their second homes in tagaytay, and living in gated communities. in the usa much of the wealth is hidden in wall street skyscrapers and collecting dust (metaphorically) in huge bank accounts. when the amounts of wealth are so vast, there are only so many cars and homes a person can buy. so the money sits idle—or flashing from one investment to the next via transactions controlled by computers. so the same distorted distribution of wealth is present in the usa as well, but just not so visible to the eye.[/quote]i agree. i really like this website with amazing facts that main stream media never publishes.

[url]http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/45-signs-that-america-will-soon-be-a-nation-with-a-very-tiny-elite-and-the-rest-of-us-will-be-poor[/url]

#1 increasingly, gains in income are becoming very highly concentrated at the top of the food chain in america. the following is how income gains in the united states were distributed during 2010.

-37 percent of all income gains went to the top 0. 01 percent of all income earners.

-56 percent of all income gains went to the rest of the top 1 percent.

-7 percent of all income gains went to the bottom 99 percent.

#2 back in the 70s, the top 1 percent earned about 8 percent of all income. today, they earn about 21 percent of all income.

#3 the wealthiest 1 percent of all americans own more wealth than the bottom 95 percent combined.

#4 according to forbes, the 400 wealthiest americans have more wealth than the bottom 150 million americans combined.

#5 the poorest 50 percent of all americans collectively own just 2. 5% of all the wealth in the united states.

#6 median household income in the united states is down 7. 8 percent since december 2007 after adjusting for inflation.

#7 the top 0. 01% of all americans make an average of $27, 342, 212. the bottom 90% make an average of $31, 244.

#8 according to the economic policy institute, between 1979 and 2007 income growth for the top 1 percent of all usa income earners was an astounding 390 percent. for the bottom 90 percent, income growth was only 5 percent over that same time period.

#9 according to one study, between 1969 and 2009 the median wages earned by american men between the ages of 30 and 50 dropped by 27 percent after you account for inflation.

#10 in 2010, 2.6 million more americans descended into poverty. that was the largest increase that we have seen since the usa government began keeping statistics on this back in 1959.

#11 according to the new york times, approximately 100 million americans are either living in poverty or in "the fretful zone just above it".

#12 according to heidi shierholz, an economist with the economic policy institute, about 53 percent of all income went to the middle class back in the 1970s, but today only about 46 percent of all income does.

#13 when you look at the ratio of employee compensation to gdp, it is now the lowest that is has been in about 50 years.

#14 in 1970, 65 percent of all americans lived in "middle class neighborhoods". by 2007, only 44 percent of all americans lived in "middle class neighborhoods".

#15 back in the year 2000, 11. 3% of all americans were living in poverty. today. 15. 1% of all americans are living in poverty.

#16 the poverty rate for children living in the united states increased to 22% in 2010.

#17 according to the usa census bureau. 6.7% of all americans are living in "extreme poverty", and that is the highest level that has ever been recorded before.

#18 according to the usa census bureau, the percentage of "very poor" rose in 300 out of the 360 largest metropolitan areas during 2010.

#19 back in 1950, more than 80 percent of all men in the united states had jobs. today, less than 65 percent of all men in the united states have jobs.

#20 the average duration of unemployment in the united states is nearly three times as long as it was back in the year 2000.

#21 in the united states today, there are 240 million working age people. only about 140 million of them are actually working.

#22 back in 2001, the ratio of wages to gdp was sitting at approximately 49 percent. today, it has fallen all the way down to about 44 percent.

#23 half of all american workers now earn $505 or less per week.

#24 back in 1980, less than 30% of all jobs in the united states were low income jobs. today, more than 40% of all jobs in the united states are low income jobs.

#25 in 2010, 19. 7% of all usa working adults had jobs that would not have been enough to push a family of four over the poverty line even if they had worked full-time hours for the entire year.

#26 electricity bills in the united states have risen faster than the overall rate of inflation for five years in a row.

#27 the average american household spent a staggering $4, 155 on gasoline during 2011.

#28 if inflation was measured the exact same way that it was measured back in 1980, the rate of inflation in the united states would be well over 10 percent.

#29 according to a recent report produced by pew charitable trusts, approximately one out of every three americans that grew up in a middle class household has slipped down the income ladder.

#30 total student loan debt in america has now passed the 1 trillion dollar mark, and about 270 billion dollars of those loans are at least 30 days delinquent. these debts are absolutely crushing young middle class families.

#31 today, approximately 25 million american adults are living with their parents.

#32 according to the census bureau. 49 percent of all americans live in a home that gets direct monetary benefits from the federal government. back in 1983, less than a third of all americans lived in a home that received direct monetary benefits from the federal government.

#33 between 1991 and 2007 the number of americans between the ages of 65 and 74 that filed for bankruptcy rose by a staggering 178 percent.

#34 one out of every six elderly americans now lives below the federal poverty line.

#35 the number of children living in poverty in the state of california has increased by 30 percent since 2007.

#36 according to the national center for children in poverty. 36. 4% of all children that live in philadelphia are living in poverty. 40. 1% of all children that live in atlanta are living in poverty. 52. 6% of all children that live in cleveland are living in poverty and 53. 6% of all children that live in detroit are living in poverty.

#37 in november 2008, 30. 8 million americans were on food stamps. today, more than 46 million americans are on food stamps.

#38 right now, one out of every four american children is on food stamps.

#39 it is being projected that approximately 50 percent of all usa children will be on food stamps at some point in their lives before they reach the age of 18.

#40 in 2010, 42 percent of all single mothers in the united states were on food stamps.

#41 back in 1965, only one out of every 50 americans was on medicaid. today, one out of every 6 americans is on medicaid, and things are about to get a whole lot worse. it is being projected that obamacare will add 16 million more americans to the medicaid rolls.

#42 medicare spending increased by 138 percent between 1999 and 2010.

#43 one out of every six americans is now enrolled in at least one government anti-poverty program.

#44 federal housing assistance increased by a whopping 42 percent between 2006 and 2010.

#45 the amount of money that the federal government gives directly to americans has increased by 32 percent since barack obama entered the white house.

[QUOTE=Starchild2012; 1284542]I agree. I really like this website with amazing facts that main stream media never publishes.

[url]http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/45-signs-that-america-will-soon-be-a-nation-with-a-very-tiny-elite-and-the-rest-of-us-will-be-poor[/url][/QUOTE]One difference between the Philippines and the U.S. is that, as the SWS data show, income distribution (i.e., grossly distorted resources in the hands of a few) in the Philippines has been fairly stable for more than half a century. In the United States the disproportion has been growing steadily for the last 30 years.

[QUOTE=Frenzy3;1284396]From aust it is 10 fold cheaper to live here, I would pay 10 times more to live the same life back in aust[/QUOTE]Australian girls would still on first sight be able to size you up and get a read on what you are. 10 times more is not going to help you get what you can get in environment of 3rd world woman who don't realize where you are in the real world foodchain.