Filipino workers remained among the happiest employees in the Asia-Pacific region in 2025, despite growing concerns over stress, burnout, and limited career growth opportunities, according to a study by Jobstreet by SEEK.
In its latest Workplace Happiness Index, the company found that 77 percent of Filipino workers described themselves as either “extremely happy” or “somewhat happy” at work, placing the Philippines second in the region behind Indonesia, where 82 percent of workers reported being happy.
Among Filipino respondents, 44 percent said they were somewhat happy, while 33 percent described themselves as extremely happy. Only 2 percent said they were extremely unhappy, while 3 percent said they were somewhat unhappy.
Workers in the Visayas posted the highest happiness level at 82 percent, followed by the National Capital Region at 77 percent. Luzon and Mindanao both recorded 76 percent.
The survey also showed that 77 percent of Filipino employees felt valued in their jobs, while 74 percent described their work as fulfilling.
Despite the positive results, the report noted that salary remains the top factor in attracting and retaining workers, alongside a sense of purpose at work.
Employees who reported being happy at work were also nearly twice as likely to feel motivated to go beyond their regular duties for their employers, the study said.
However, the report also pointed to increasing workplace pressures.
Only 41 percent of Filipino workers said they felt in control of their stress levels, while 38 percent reported feeling burned out or extremely exhausted because of work.
Meanwhile, 55 percent of respondents said they think about changing careers somewhat or extremely often, with limited career progression opportunities cited as a major reason for considering resignation.
Concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) are also beginning to shape workplace sentiment, with 41 percent of Filipino workers expressing worry about AI’s potential impact on their jobs as more companies adopt automation and generative AI technologies.
“The report only shows how employee preferences are evolving and how their work environment shapes their overall happiness and sense of purpose,” said Dannah Majarocon.
