Optimism among Filipinos has significantly increased as perceptions of the country’s current state, national direction, and economic prospects have improved, based on Publicus Asia’s year-end survey results.

The survey, which had 1,500 respondents and was conducted from Nov. 29 to Dec. 4, found that Filipinos’ perceptions of the current state of the country have improved slightly, rising from 43 percent to 45 percent.

“Noteworthy regional variations include North-Central Luzon increasing from 43 percent in Q3 (third quarter) to 49 percent in Q4 (fourth quarter), South Luzon from 40 percent to 45 percent, and Visayas from 41 percent to 47 percent,” Publicus Asia said in a statement on Monday, Dec. 18.

Meanwhile, it said that Mindanao saw a significant drop, falling from 50 percent to 44 percent.

Specific age and income groups also displayed fluctuations, with 18-24-year-olds witnessing an increase from 35 percent to 47 percent, while 25-29-year-olds declined from 52 percent to 43 percent.

Middle-income voters also experienced a shift from 48 percent to 38 percent in the fourth quarter.

PH direction

Publicus Asia also pointed out that opinions regarding the direction of the country have significantly improved, rising from 61 percent in the third quarter to 66 percent in the fourth quarter.

“Regional variations showcase positive trends in North-Central Luzon (60 percent to 64 percent), South Luzon (54 percent to 62 percent), and Visayas (57 percent to 65 percent),” it said.

“However, Mindanao sees a slight decline from 70 percent to 67 percent. Age and income groups also reflect positive changes, with 18-24-year-olds increasing from 50 percent to 63 percent, 30-39-year-olds from 66 percent to 71 percent, and middle-income voters from 58 percent to 68 percent in Q4,” it added.

Economic outlook

During the same survey period, Publicus Asia found that national economic prospects for the following quarter improved significantly, rising from 57 percent in the third quarter to 67 percent in the fourth quarter.

“This positive trend is observed across all demographics,” it said.

Household financial prospects for the next quarter also demonstrated a positive trajectory, increasing from 62 percent to 70 percent.

This optimistic outlook is also shared across all demographic groups, Publicus Asia said.

“Overall, positive sentiments about the state of the country heading into the year 2024 have seen a substantial increase from 59 percent to 68 percent,” it said.

Meanwhile, negative sentiments about the country’s state heading into 2024 have dropped from 41 percent to 32 percent.

“When compared to the previous year, about six in 10 respondents feel the nation is in a better place. Notably, lower-income households (18 percent) and non-working individuals (17 percent) express more uncertainty, leaning towards the undecided category,” it said.

The “Pahayag 2023 End of the Year Survey” is an independent and non-commissioned survey.