Will dependency ratio matter the economic welfare of the geographically isolated and disadvantaged households in the province of Samar, Philippines?

The study employed descriptive-exploratory research methods to examine the dependency ratio and economic welfare of geographically isolated and disadvantaged households in Samar Province, Philippines. It aimed to determine the demographic profiles of the respondents, including age, gender, civil status, highest educational attainment, occupation, family type, number of household members, and dwelling type. The study explored the dependency ratio, economic welfare status (in terms of consumption and expenditures), and the relationship between the dependency ratio and economic welfare. Households (n=88) were systematically sampled from 14 municipalities in Samar, Philippines. The findings revealed that these households had a high dependency ratio, and their economic welfare was below the country's poverty line. It was also found that the number of unproductive members did not significantly affect the households' economic welfare, while the productive population had a direct positive impact. Furthermore, as the household head aged, there was a direct negative effect on the household's economic welfare. Further, as the household head ages, there appears to be a negative impact on the economic welfare of the household. Interestingly, while the dependency ratio did not significantly influence economic welfare, it highlighted the increasing strain on the working population and the broader economy to support and provide necessary social services for the dependent population.