Filipino employees are among the happiest workers in the Asia-Pacific region, with many now placing greater value on purpose and fulfillment at work over salary alone, according to a new report by Jobstreet by SEEK.
The latest Workplace Happiness Index: Philippines 2025 found that 77% of Filipino employees described themselves as either “extremely happy” or “somewhat happy” in their workplace, placing the Philippines second in workplace happiness across the region, behind only Indonesia at 82%.
The study, conducted from October to November 2025, surveyed more than 10,500 employed individuals across Asia-Pacific, including 1,000 Filipino workers aged 18 to 64 nationwide.
While compensation remains a major factor in attracting employees, the report showed that many workers now connect workplace happiness more strongly with meaningful work, career growth, and alignment with company goals.
“Purpose at work” emerged as a key driver of engagement and satisfaction, with employees increasingly looking beyond hybrid setups and pay when evaluating their jobs.
The report also found that 77% of respondents feel valued at work, while 74% described their jobs as fulfilling.
Across regions, workers in the Visayas recorded the highest workplace happiness at 82%, followed by the National Capital Region at 77%. Luzon and Mindanao both registered 76%.
At the same time, the report highlighted ongoing workplace challenges despite generally positive sentiments.
Only 41% of respondents said they feel in control of their stress levels, while 38% reported feeling burnt out or extremely exhausted from work.
Concerns over artificial intelligence also continue to grow, with 41% of workers expressing worries about AI’s potential impact on their jobs.
Career progression likewise emerged as a major issue, with 55% of respondents saying they think about changing careers somewhat or extremely often. Employees dissatisfied with growth opportunities were significantly more likely to consider leaving their jobs.
“The report only shows how employee preferences are evolving and how their work environment shapes their overall happiness and sense of purpose. Jobstreet by SEEK, through this study, seeks to empower hirers in navigating these shifts and creating workplaces that foster talent engagement and long-term growth,” Dannah Majarocon said.
The report added that employees who are happy at work are nearly twice as likely to feel motivated to go above and beyond for their employer, highlighting the growing link between employee wellbeing, engagement, and retention.
