A recent study released in May 2026 shows that a large majority of Filipino employees are happy with their jobs. According to the Workplace Happiness Index by Jobstreet by SEEK, the Philippines ranks second in the Asia-Pacific region when it comes to worker happiness.
Out of all Filipino employees who took part in the survey, 77% said they feel either somewhat happy or very happy at work. Only one country in the region did better: Indonesia, where 82% of workers said the same.
The study gathered responses from over 10,500 employees across the Asia-Pacific, including 1,000 people from the Philippines.
What really makes Filipino workers happy?
Many people think money is the main thing that makes employees happy. But the survey found something different. While 60% of Filipino workers admitted that a bigger paycheck would make them happier, salary actually came in third place when ranking the top reasons for job satisfaction.
So what comes first? Workers said feeling that their job has meaning, seeing a path for career growth, and feeling appreciated by their employers matter the most.
Around 74% of Filipino respondents said their work gives them a sense of purpose. And 77% said they feel valued where they work.
Happiest region in the Philippines
The survey also looked at differences across the country. Employees from the Visayas turned out to be the happiest. In that region, 82% of workers said they are happy with their jobs. Next came workers in the National Capital Region at 77%, followed by Luzon and Mindanao, both at 76%.
The report also touched on why employees stay or leave. People who were unhappy with their chances to grow professionally were more likely to consider quitting. This means that offering training and promotion opportunities can help companies keep their staff.
Even with all the good news, the study pointed out a serious problem. A large number of Filipino workers are feeling burned out. About 38% of employees said they feel very tired or completely exhausted at work. And only 41% felt that they can manage their stress well.
Younger workers, in particular, seem to be changing what they look for in a job. Aside from wanting stable pay, they also want healthier workplace environments and the chance to build a long term career.