A national survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) found that 90% of Filipinos are entering the New Year with hope, though this represents a 6-point decline from last year’s 96%. The figure is the lowest since 2009, when hope stood at 89%.

On the other hand, 10% of adults reported entering 2025 with fear, a significant increase from just 3% in 2023, marking the highest level since 2009 when it reached 11%.

The survey also highlighted a connection between Christmas expectations and New Year’s outlook. Among those anticipating a happy Christmas, 94% entered the New Year with hope. This contrasts with 87% of those expecting a neutral holiday and 74% of those bracing for a sad one. Historically, hope for the coming year has been consistently higher among those who expected a joyful Christmas.

The survey, conducted from December 12-18, 2024, shows that regional differences in New Year hope persist. The highest levels were recorded in Balance Luzon (92%), followed by Metro Manila (91%), Mindanao (89%), and the Visayas (87%). All regions experienced a decline in optimism compared to the previous year.

Education also played a role in the survey results. College graduates expressed the highest levels of hope (96%), while those with lower educational attainment showed progressively less hope. For example, 93% of those with some senior high school education entered the New Year with optimism, compared to 83% of non-elementary graduates.

The SWS survey reached 2,160 adults across the country, with a margin of error of ±2% for national percentages and ±3% to ±5% for specific regions. The survey items, including questions about hope and fear for the New Year, are part of the SWS’s regular monitoring and were not commissioned by any outside party.

The full survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews in urban and rural areas, with careful attention to demographic representation.