A global survey has revealed that the Philippines struggles with poor work-life balance, ranking second to the last among 60 countries in the Global Life-Work Balance Index 2024, conducted by international HR group Remote.
According to the report, the Philippines scored only 27.46 out of 100, just above Nigeria, which landed at the bottom with 16.5 points. Filipino employees work an average of 40.63 hours per week but earn only around $1.45 (approximately ₱84) per hour—highlighting the challenges faced by many workers trying to make ends meet.
The survey also showed that the Philippines has a happiness index score of 6.04 and earned a low 57 out of 100 rating when it comes to LGBTQ+ inclusivity, signaling broader concerns about overall quality of life and social acceptance in the country.
Compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors, the Philippines trails behind. Singapore ranked 26th, Vietnam 37th, Thailand 39th, Indonesia 43rd, and Malaysia 47th.
Remote emphasized that poor work-life balance affects employee well-being and urged companies to improve working conditions to attract and retain talent.
On top of these issues, the Philippines remains one of the world’s most dangerous countries for workers. Based on the 2020 Global Rights Index from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Filipino workers continue to face violence, intimidation, and even killings, with “red-tagging” putting labor rights advocates at greater risk.
