Most Filipinos see no change economy in 2024 – SWS survey

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INQUIRER file photo/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that majority of adult Filipinos think that the Philippine economy will stay the same in the next 12 months.

The survey was conducted from Dec. 8 to 11, 2023.

According to the SWS survey, 44 percent said that the economy will stay the same, while 40 percent of respondents, termed “economic optimists”,  10 percent, or the so-called “economic pessimists” said that it will worsen,while five percent did not give an answer.

The current Net Economic Optimism Score is +30, which is classified as “very high,” but is five points below the September 2023 Net Economic Optimism Score, the SWS said.

It added that Net Economic Optimism Score rose in Metro Manila, where it was highest at +36, and in Visayas at +25.

In contrast, the Net Economic Optimism Score fell in Mindanao at +32, and in Balance Luzon, or outside Metro Manila, at +30.

The SWS likewise reported that Net Economic Optimism was highest for those who graduated tertiary studies and beyond, followed by those who had or finished secondary education, those who had or finished elementary education, and finally, lowest for those who did not have formal education.

It said that Net Economic Optimism was higher for adults who belong to families who did not consider themselves to be poor, followed by those whose families considered themselves poor, and lastly, those whose families considered themselves to be borderline poor.

The SWS said that 1,200 adults were surveyed for the study, while error margins were marked at ±2.8 percent for national percentages, and ±5.7 percent each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.