A recent survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed that while most Filipinos remain optimistic about the New Year, fear levels have reached their highest since 2009. The survey, conducted from December 12 to 18, 2024, showed that 90% of adult Filipinos are hopeful for 2024—a decrease from 96% in 2023 and the lowest level since 89% in 2009.
Meanwhile, the proportion of Filipinos expressing fear has risen to 10%, up significantly from 3% last year, matching the highest fear rating recorded in 2009.
The survey highlighted regional and educational differences in hope levels. Optimism was highest in Luzon outside Metro Manila at 92%, followed by Metro Manila (91%), Mindanao (89%), and Visayas (87%). Hope was also most pronounced among college graduates at 96%, while non-elementary graduates recorded the lowest at 83%.
SWS found a link between expectations for Christmas and New Year optimism. Among those who anticipated a happy Christmas, 94% expressed hope for the New Year, compared to 87% of those expecting neither a happy nor sad Christmas and 74% of those anticipating a sad holiday.
The survey included in-person interviews with 2,160 respondents nationwide and had a margin of error of ±2% for national results and up to ±5% for specific regions.
