A recent report from the employment platform Jobstreet by SEEK found that 77 percent of Filipino workers consider themselves happy in their jobs, placing the country second in the Asia-Pacific region for workplace happiness. The findings were detailed in the company’s 2024 “Decoding Global Talent” report, which surveyed sentiments across several key markets.
According to the report’s Workplace Happiness Index, the Philippines was surpassed only by Indonesia, where 82 percent of respondents reported being happy. Following the Philippines were Thailand at 73 percent, Malaysia at 65 percent, and Singapore at 57 percent.
The survey identified several key factors contributing to the high level of reported happiness among Filipino employees. The top drivers included having good relationships with colleagues, feeling a sense of purpose and being valued in their roles, and maintaining a positive work-life balance. These non-monetary aspects were cited as significant contributors to overall job satisfaction.
Conversely, the report also highlighted the primary reasons for unhappiness in the workplace. For Filipino workers who reported being unhappy, the main factors were related to salary and a perceived lack of career advancement opportunities. The data indicated that while interpersonal relationships and work-life balance contribute to positive sentiment, financial compensation and long-term career growth remain critical areas of concern for a segment of the workforce.
Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK in the Philippines, commented on the findings in a statement. She noted the importance for employers to understand the different factors that influence employee satisfaction.
The “Decoding Global Talent” report is a global study conducted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), The Network, and Jobstreet by SEEK’s parent company, SEEK. The survey gathered data from over 150,000 workforce respondents across more than 180 countries, including over 11,000 participants from the Philippines. The report aims to provide insights into talent attraction and retention for businesses operating in the region.
