SWS: 35% of Filipinos say quality of life improved over past year

Thirty-five percent of Filipino adults believe their lives have improved compared to 12 months ago, according to a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The survey revealed that 35 percent said their quality of life improved (gainers), 23 percent said it got worse (losers), and 42 percent claimed it remained the same (unchanged).

The Second Quarter 2025 Social Weather Survey was conducted from June 25-29, 2025, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside Metro Manila), the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The sampling error margins are ±3% for national percentages and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The survey was non-commissioned.

According to SWS, the exact phrasing of the survey questions was:

“Kung ikukumpara ang uri ng inyong kasalukuyang pamumuhay sa nakaraang 12 buwan, masasabi ba ninyo na ang uri ng inyong pamumuhay ay MAS MABUTI KAYSA NOON, KAPAREHO NG DATI, o MAS MASAMA KAYSA NOON? [Comparing your quality of life these days to how it was 12 months ago, would you say that your quality of life is BETTER NOW THAN BEFORE, SAME AS BEFORE, or WORSE NOW THAN BEFORE?]”

Net Gainers rise

The June 2025 survey found the Net Gainers score highest in the Visayas at excellent +22, followed by Mindanao at very high +16, Metro Manila at very high +10, and Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside Metro Manila) at high +6.

SWS said the 7-point rise in the nationwide Net Gainers score from April 23-28, 2025 to June 25-29, 2025 was due to increases in all areas except in Balance Luzon.

Compared to April 23-28, 2025, Net Gainers rose from fair to excellent in the Visayas, up by 22 points from net zero, the survey showed.

It rose from fair to very high in Mindanao, up by 19 points from -3, and in Metro Manila, up by 11 points from -1.

However, it fell from very high to high in Balance Luzon, down by 6 points from +12. —LDF, GMA Integrated News