MANILA — More than two-thirds of adult Filipinos expect this year’s Christmas to be “happy,” according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from November 24 to 30.

The poll showed that 68 percent of respondents anticipate a happy Christmas, up three points from 65 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, 7 percent expect a “sad” Christmas, while 25 percent said it would be neither happy nor sad.

The 68-percent figure is five points lower than the 73 percent recorded in both 2022 and 2023, but 18 points higher than the record-low 50 percent in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those expecting a sad Christmas declined from 10 percent in 2024 and is eight points below the record-high 15 percent in 2020. SWS noted that expectations of a sad Christmas are usually at single-digit levels, ranging from 2 percent to 9 percent, and only reached double digits in 2004, 2009, 2011, 2020, and 2024.

Asked what they were most thankful for, 45 percent of respondents cited good health, 29 percent family, and 28 percent being alive. Other responses included God, having food to eat or eating three times a day, coping with daily hardships, all blessings received, job or income, a happy life, financial support, prosperity, education, and peace and safety.

By area, expectations of a happy Christmas were highest in Mindanao at 76 percent, followed by the Visayas at 73 percent, Balance Luzon at 64 percent, and Metro Manila at 64 percent.

Compared to last year, the figure rose by six points in Metro Manila, five points in Balance Luzon, two points in the Visayas, and three points in Mindanao.

The non-commissioned SWS survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults aged 18 and above nationwide. The respondents consisted of 11 percent youth (18–24 years old), 20 percent aged 25–34, 20 percent aged 35–44, 16 percent aged 45–54, and 33 percent aged 55 and above.

The survey has sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national results and ±6 percent for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. (PNA)