MANILA, Philippines — Social Weather Stations’ recent survey (SWS) has revealed a shift in the perception of quality of life among Filipinos, with fewer reporting improvements in their living conditions over the past year.
Commissioned by the Stratbase Group, the survey was conducted from January 17 to January 20, 2025, and highlights a narrowing gap between those who feel their quality of life has improved and those who believe it has declined.
According to the survey, 32 percent of respondents identified as “gainers,” meaning they felt their quality of life had improved over the past 12 months.
In contrast, 26 percent categorized themselves as “losers,” reporting a decline in their life quality. The remaining 42 percent of those surveyed noted no change in their living conditions.
While the number of gainers still outnumbers the losers, this marks a slight decrease from the previous year, when 35 percent of respondents reported improvements and only 24 percent felt their lives had worsened.
The survey draws on a broad sample from various regions across the Philippines, including both urban and rural areas, and represents a cross-section of different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Dr. Mahar Mangahas, president of SWS, analyzed the findings, noting the narrowing gap between gainers and losers as a cause for concern.
He suggested that the growing number of Filipinos expressing dissatisfaction reflects broader anxieties over economic and social stability.
Dr. Mangahas emphasized the importance of addressing these issues to prevent further erosion of public optimism.