Filipino New Year optimism lowest since 2009 at 89%

Eighty-nine percent of adult Filipinos are greeting the New Year with hope, marking the lowest optimism level recorded since 2009, according to a November survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

This figure represents a one-point decrease from 90% in 2024 and a significant seven-point drop from 96% in 2023.

Conversely, 11% of Filipinos will face 2026 with fear, an increase from 10% in 2024 and matching the 11% in 2009.

Optimism levels for the New Year have fluctuated, with the lowest recorded levels in the 80s in years such as 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2009, and 2025.

Conversely, optimism was higher in the 90s from 2002 to 2008 and continuously from 2010 to 2024.

The survey also revealed that 36% of respondents felt their quality of life worsened in the past year, an increase from 32% in September and 23% at the end of 2024.