Only 14% of Filipinos are ‘comfortable’ with their financial resources —report

Only 14% of Filipinos identify as being financially “comfortable”—having the resources to afford most things—with the majority still hustling or doing extra work to manage their finances better, a report by Worldpanel by Numerator released on Thursday showed.

According to the Worldpanel’s Shopperscope 2025 report, only 14% of Filipinos say they have the resources to afford most things, but not necessarily without restrictions. Eleven percent also feel they are “struggling” with their current situation.

The majority, or 75%, say they are “managing,” as they continue to do extra work to manage their finances better. Many said they were coming from a deficit in the past year, are now able to cope better financially at present. This is an increase from 73% in 2024.

“[D]ata indicates a 10-point increase among Filipinos who believe that their financial situation will improve in the next 12 months,” Worldpanel Shopper Insights director Laurice Obana said in an emailed statement.

“However, our respondents remain cautious and continue to keep tabs on rising grocery and fuel prices. Health and well-being are also at the top of their concerns in 2025,” she added.

Results were based on responses from interviews conducted with 2,000 Filipino respondents conducted from February to April this year, who were then classified into three groups: comfortable, managing, and struggling.

With the latest data, Worldpanel said Filipinos continue to prioritize value, and this is expected to drive the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) to post a 4% to 5% growth this year.

“Our research shows that as financial relief trickles down, though at different stages, Filipinos will continue to practice temperance, balancing their savings but not forgetting to allow some treats for themselves,” Obana said.

“Brands need to have a better understanding of what value means to consumer for them to continue thriving in the FMCG market,” she added. — BM, GMA Integrated News