A significant portion of the Philippine population is entering 2026 with a sense of uncertainty about their future, according to a recent nationwide poll. The survey, conducted by the public opinion firm WR Numero, found that a quarter of Filipinos are unsure whether their lives and the lives of their families will improve in the coming year.
National Sentiment: Hope Tempered by Doubt
The Philippine Public Opinion Monitor for November 2025 asked respondents about their expectations for the upcoming year. The study, which involved face-to-face interviews with 1,412 nationally representative Filipinos from November 21 to 28, 2025, paints a picture of cautious hope. While a majority of 55% remain optimistic that life will get better, a notable 25% are uncertain. Another 16% believe life will stay the same, and a small 4% anticipate a worse situation in 2026.
Economic Divide: Class E Bears the Brunt of Uncertainty
A deeper look at the data reveals a stark economic divide in outlook. Filipinos belonging to the lowest income bracket, Class E, are the least optimistic. Only half (50%) of them believe life will be better in 2026, a figure significantly lower than their counterparts in Class ABC (66%) and Class D (65%).
Furthermore, uncertainty is highest among the poorest. 29% of Class E respondents said they were unsure of their expectations for a better life, compared to just 12% in Class ABC and 15% in Class D. Additionally, 5% of Class E Filipinos—the highest share among all income groups—think life will actually worsen.
Regional and Gender Perspectives on the New Year
The survey also uncovered interesting geographical patterns. Respondents in the Visayas (29%) and the Rest of Luzon (26%) reported the highest levels of uncertainty about what 2026 will bring. They were followed by Metro Manila (23%) and Mindanao (20%). The view that life will deteriorate was most pronounced in the Rest of Luzon (6%).
A gender gap in expectations was also evident. Male Filipinos appear less certain (27%) and less optimistic than females (22% uncertain). Twice as many men (6%) as women (3%) believe life will get worse. In contrast, 60% of female Filipinos are hopeful for the upcoming year, compared to 50% of males.
The survey carries a national margin of error of ±3% at a 95% confidence level. The results highlight the complex mix of hope and apprehension Filipinos carry into the new year, with economic standing playing a crucial role in shaping one's outlook.
