Kabuhayan

Kabuhayan is a Filipino term that refers to the means by which people earn a living and support themselves and their families. It encompasses the activities and resources that generate income, including formal employment, informal work, and entrepreneurial ventures. Kabuhayan is influenced by available assets, skills, environment, and social networks.

In the Philippines, kabuhayan covers sectors such as agriculture, fishing, handicrafts, small-scale trading, services, and increasingly digital livelihoods. It can be a household’s primary income source or a supplementary one. Government agencies and non-government organizations run livelihood programs to help people start or expand enterprises, access credit, training, and assets such as equipment or land. Examples include microfinance, starter kits for small businesses, cooperative development, and skills training.

Development frameworks view livelihoods as built from five asset areas—human, social, natural, financial, and physical capital—with external shocks and policies shaping access to these assets. Outcomes sought include higher income, improved well-being, resilience to shocks, and sustainable use of resources.

Common challenges include limited access to capital, land tenure issues, market access, price volatility, climate and disaster risks, and gaps in skills or information. Successful kabuhayan interventions often combine asset provision with training, market linkages, and supportive policy environments tailored to local conditions.