MANILA – Half of Filipino adults believe their quality of life worsened in the past 12 months, while 26 percent said it remained the same, according to the latest survey of Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Based on the Social Weather Survey conducted from March 24 to 31, SWS reported that net gainers—those who said life improved minus those who said it worsened—fell to -26, its lowest level in four years.

Only 23 percent of respondents described their lives as better compared to a year ago.

SWS noted that the -26 net gainers score marked a 19-point drop from the “fair” -7 rating in November 2025. This, in turn, followed earlier results showing a “very high” +12 in June 2025 and a “fair” -2 in September 2025.

The sharpest declines were recorded in Mindanao and Metro Manila, both registering a -31 score. However, the pollster said decreases were also observed across all regions.

By age group, net gainers declined progressively among older respondents, starting highest among 18 to 24-year-olds and falling to -39 among those aged 55 and above.

The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adult respondents nationwide. It carried a ±3 percent margin of error for national estimates.

Respondents were asked: “Kung ikukumpara ang uri ng inyong kasalukuyang pamumuhay sa nakaraang 12 buwan, masasabi ba ninyo na ang uri ng inyong pamumuhay ay mas mabuti kaysa noon, kapareho ng dati, o mas masama kaysa noon?”