NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
SWS: 45% Of Filipinos Optimistic About Quality Of Life In The Future
The latest National Social Weather Survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in the Philippines revealed a decrease in the overall Net Personal Optimism score among adult Filipinos. The survey, conducted from March 26 to 29, 2023, found that 45% of respondents expressed optimism about the improvement of their quality of life in the next 12 months. Meanwhile, 42% believed that their quality of life would remain the same, and 6% expected it to worsen. The remaining 7% did not provide an answer.
The resulting Net Personal Optimism score, which is calculated by subtracting the percentage of pessimists from the percentage of optimists, stood at +38. This score falls within the SWS classification of "very high" optimism, ranging from +30 to +39. However, it was noted that the March 2023 score was 6 points lower than the excellent +44 recorded in December 2022.
The survey question on the prediction of quality of life change over the next 12 months has been asked 148 times since April 1984. Out of these 148 surveys, the Net Personal Optimism score has been negative only 11 times, with a historic low of -19 in May 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. Since then, the score has been trending upwards, reaching pre-pandemic levels.
The decrease in the Net Personal Optimism score between December 2022 and March 2023 was observed across all regions of the Philippines. In Balance Luzon, the score fell from excellent (+43) to very high (+37), a decrease of 6 points. In the Visayas, it dropped from very high (+37) to high (+27), a decline of 10 points. Metro Manila maintained an excellent score (+45), albeit with a 4-point decrease from December 2022 (+49). Mindanao also remained excellent, with a minimal change from +48 to +47.
When analyzing the results across different education levels, it was found that Net Personal Optimism remained excellent among those who graduated from college or pursued post-graduate studies, although it decreased from +52 to +45. It also stayed excellent for individuals with various educational backgrounds, such as junior high school, vocational schooling, senior high school, vocational school completion, and some college, but with a slight decrease from +46 to +42. However, it fell from excellent to very high among those who completed elementary school or had some high school education, dropping from +40 to +35. For those with no formal education or some elementary education, it decreased from very high (+35) to high (+28).
The survey also examined the relationship between Net Personal Optimism and changes in the quality of life among respondents. Among those surveyed, 29% reported an improvement in their quality of life compared to the previous year, while 25% stated it had worsened, and 46% mentioned no change. The Net Personal Optimism score was found to be highest among the "Gainers" (+61), followed by the "Unchanged" (+39), and the "Losers" (+11). This indicates a more positive outlook among those who experienced gains in their quality of life. However, compared to December 2022, the Net Personal Optimism score decreased for both the "Gainers" (from +68) and the "Losers" (from +20), while it remained relatively stable for the "Unchanged" (+38).
Furthermore, the survey examined the impact of hunger on Net Personal Optimism. Among the respondents, 9.8% of Filipino families, or an estimated 2.7 million, experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months. Net Personal Optimism varied based on the severity of hunger experienced by families. Those from families that did not experience hunger had a Net Personal Optimism score of +39, while those from families that experienced general hunger had a score of +33. Among those from families experiencing moderate hunger, the score was +36. However, individuals from families experiencing severe hunger had a significantly lower score of +12.
The survey also highlighted the influence of self-rated poverty on Net Personal Optimism. Among Filipino families, 51% considered themselves poor, 30% rated themselves as borderline poor, and 19% considered themselves not poor. Net Personal Optimism was highest among adults from families who considered themselves not poor, with a score of +50. Those from families who rated themselves as borderline poor had a score of +42, while individuals from families who considered themselves poor had a score of +32.
Overall, the March 2023 SWS survey indicated a decrease in Net Personal Optimism among adult Filipinos compared to December 2022. The decrease was observed across regions, education levels, and among individuals from families experiencing hunger and poverty. Despite the decline, the optimism level remains classified as "very high" according to SWS standards.
The resulting Net Personal Optimism score, which is calculated by subtracting the percentage of pessimists from the percentage of optimists, stood at +38. This score falls within the SWS classification of "very high" optimism, ranging from +30 to +39. However, it was noted that the March 2023 score was 6 points lower than the excellent +44 recorded in December 2022.
The survey question on the prediction of quality of life change over the next 12 months has been asked 148 times since April 1984. Out of these 148 surveys, the Net Personal Optimism score has been negative only 11 times, with a historic low of -19 in May 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. Since then, the score has been trending upwards, reaching pre-pandemic levels.
The decrease in the Net Personal Optimism score between December 2022 and March 2023 was observed across all regions of the Philippines. In Balance Luzon, the score fell from excellent (+43) to very high (+37), a decrease of 6 points. In the Visayas, it dropped from very high (+37) to high (+27), a decline of 10 points. Metro Manila maintained an excellent score (+45), albeit with a 4-point decrease from December 2022 (+49). Mindanao also remained excellent, with a minimal change from +48 to +47.
When analyzing the results across different education levels, it was found that Net Personal Optimism remained excellent among those who graduated from college or pursued post-graduate studies, although it decreased from +52 to +45. It also stayed excellent for individuals with various educational backgrounds, such as junior high school, vocational schooling, senior high school, vocational school completion, and some college, but with a slight decrease from +46 to +42. However, it fell from excellent to very high among those who completed elementary school or had some high school education, dropping from +40 to +35. For those with no formal education or some elementary education, it decreased from very high (+35) to high (+28).
The survey also examined the relationship between Net Personal Optimism and changes in the quality of life among respondents. Among those surveyed, 29% reported an improvement in their quality of life compared to the previous year, while 25% stated it had worsened, and 46% mentioned no change. The Net Personal Optimism score was found to be highest among the "Gainers" (+61), followed by the "Unchanged" (+39), and the "Losers" (+11). This indicates a more positive outlook among those who experienced gains in their quality of life. However, compared to December 2022, the Net Personal Optimism score decreased for both the "Gainers" (from +68) and the "Losers" (from +20), while it remained relatively stable for the "Unchanged" (+38).
Furthermore, the survey examined the impact of hunger on Net Personal Optimism. Among the respondents, 9.8% of Filipino families, or an estimated 2.7 million, experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months. Net Personal Optimism varied based on the severity of hunger experienced by families. Those from families that did not experience hunger had a Net Personal Optimism score of +39, while those from families that experienced general hunger had a score of +33. Among those from families experiencing moderate hunger, the score was +36. However, individuals from families experiencing severe hunger had a significantly lower score of +12.
The survey also highlighted the influence of self-rated poverty on Net Personal Optimism. Among Filipino families, 51% considered themselves poor, 30% rated themselves as borderline poor, and 19% considered themselves not poor. Net Personal Optimism was highest among adults from families who considered themselves not poor, with a score of +50. Those from families who rated themselves as borderline poor had a score of +42, while individuals from families who considered themselves poor had a score of +32.
Overall, the March 2023 SWS survey indicated a decrease in Net Personal Optimism among adult Filipinos compared to December 2022. The decrease was observed across regions, education levels, and among individuals from families experiencing hunger and poverty. Despite the decline, the optimism level remains classified as "very high" according to SWS standards.
Jun 1, 2023
