More Pinoys say lives worsened in 2025 – SWS

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos who say their quality of life worsened over the past year continued to increase in the fourth quarter survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

From 32 percent in September, the percentage of Filipinos who said their lives worsened increased to 36 percent in the SWS survey conducted from Nov. 24 to 30.

It was only at 23 percent at the end of 2024.

Meanwhile, 29 percent of the respondents said their lives improved in the past 12 months, almost similar to the 30 percent in September 2025 survey.

Thirty-four percent said it stayed the same, down from 38 percent.

The latest poll resulted in a “net gainers” score of -7, down from -2 in the September survey.

The “net gainers” score is the rounded-off difference of those who said their lives improved from those who said their lives worsened.

SWS data showed that it was a record low for the current administration.

Across areas, the “net gainers” score was highest among those in Mindanao at +2 (from +2), followed by those in balance Luzon at -7 (from -4), Metro Manila at -12 (from -8) and the Visayas at -14 (from +1).

The net gainers score dropped among respondents in urban and rural areas.

It also fell among older age groups and in most educational levels.

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent. — Artemio Dumlao