Around 34% of Filipinos experience stress “frequently,” mostly related to finances, health, job or school, and family, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.
“As part of monitoring Filipinos’ views on well-being, SWS tracked public attitudes toward stress factors, including one’s financial situation, health, job/school, and family, providing valuable insights into how they affect daily life and overall mental health,” said SWS, which released the results ahead of the celebration of World Mental Health Day on October 10.
The national survey, conducted from September 24-30, 2025, found that 34% of adult Filipinos experience stress frequently in their daily lives; 32% experience it sometimes; 30% rarely; and 4% never.
The percentage of those who experience stress frequently (34%) was higher than the 27% reported in the December 2019 survey.
The survey also found 53% experiencing big (21% very big and 32% somewhat big) stress related to finances, 42% to health, 39% to job/school, and 38% to family.
The Third Quarter 2025 Social Weather Survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 300 in Metro Manila, 600 in Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside Metro Manila), and 300 each in the Visayas and Mindanao. The sampling error margins are ±3% for national percentages, ±4% for Balance Luzon, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
The survey was non-commissioned.
Metro Manila residents, women are most stressed
According to the survey, Metro Manila residents reported feeling stressed frequently (50%), compared to those in Balance Luzon (36%), Mindanao (28%), and the Visayas (26%).
Women (41%) also experience stress frequently compared to men (27%).
Compared to December 2019, the experience of frequent stress rose by 8 points from 33% among women, and by 7 points from 20% among men, SWS added.
On the magnitude of stress related to one’s financial situation, the survey firm reported that 53% considered it big (21% very big and 32% somewhat big), and 37% considered it small (26% small and 11% almost none). Ten percent were undecided on the matter.
On stress related to one’s health, 42% considered it big (15% very big and 27% somewhat big), and 46% considered it small (28% small and 18% almost none). Eleven percent were undecided on the matter.
On stress related to one’s job/school, 39% said it was big (13% very big and 26% somewhat big, correctly rounded), 51% said it was small (24% small and 27% almost none, correctly rounded), and 9% were undecided.
On stress related to one’s family, 38% considered it big (14% very big and 24% somewhat big), 52% considered it small (30% small and 22% almost none), and 10% were undecided on the matter, SWS added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News