Most Filipinos continue to hold positive sentiment about the country, but optimism fell to its lowest level in the second quarter of 2024 since tracking began in early 2022, according to an independent survey by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc.
The PAHAYAG 2024 second-quarter nationwide survey, conducted on June 15 to 19, 2024, found that 54 percent of the 1,507 respondents have positive sentiment about the country. This is down from 55 percent in the first quarter and 67 percent a year ago.
“Overall, positive sentiments about the country are at their lowest since tracking began, with positives still higher than negatives but nearly equal, indicating polarization,” PUBLiCUS Asia says.
It says the decline was driven by the National Capital Region and North and Central Luzon, those aged 40 to 49, low-income households, non-Catholics, government workers and vocational graduates.
Despite the decline, the survey found that a majority of Filipinos report feeling “somewhat happy.” About 40 percent feel they are close to their best possible life, while 20 percent believe they are already there.
“Basic physiological needs and safety/security are the primary personal goals for happiness,” the PAHAYAG report says.
Positive views on the country’s state and direction remain low, with increasing indecision. The number of respondents who believe the current state of the country is strong fell to 38 percent in the second quarter from 39 percent in the first quarter and 51 percent a year ago.
About 36 percent believe it is neither weak nor strong, and 26 percent feel it is weak.
The survey says around 54 percent of the respondents believe that the economy is in the right direction in the second quarter, down from 55 percent in the first quarter and 68 percent a year ago. About 26 percent of the respondents are unsure, while 19 percent say the economy is in the wrong direction.
Economic and financial outlooks showed slight improvement, but remained low overall.
About 58 percent believe national economic prospects will improve in the next quarter, higher than 55 percent in the first quarter, but lower than 69 percent a year earlier. About 23 percent believe it will neither worsen nor improve, and 19 percent feel it will worsen.
PUBLiCUS says 64 percent of the respondents expect household financial prospects to improve heading into the next quarter, slightly better than 63 percent in the first quarter, but lower than 70 percent a year ago.