Purpose at work seen as main driver
Filipino employees are reportedly the second-happiest at work, next to Indonesia in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the latest Workplace Happiness Index: Philippines 2025 by Jobstreet by SEEK.
Leading online career platform Jobstreet by SEEK conducted a region-wide survey from October to November 2025, with over 10,500 employed individuals across the Asia-Pacific, of whom 1,000 were Filipino workers aged 18 to 64 nationwide. The report highlights workers’ evolving preference for the importance of work purpose, personal wellbeing, and career growth alongside salary and flexibility.
The report shows 77% of Filipino workers said they are somewhat or extremely happy at work, placing the Philippines among the happiest workforces in the region, following Indonesia at 82%. This happiness is largely driven by a strong sense of purpose, with employees valuing meaningful work and alignment with company goals more than monetary compensation alone.
In terms of happiness at work by region, respondents in Visayas were found to be the happiest (82%), followed by NCR (77%), while Luzon and Mindanao tied last (76%). Interestingly, happiness at work is similar across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, suggesting that workers in the Philippines are broadly united in their sentiment towards workplace happiness.
Drivers of happiness at work
Jobstreet by SEEK’s latest findings highlighted that Filipino workers are now looking beyond compensation and hybrid work setups. Employees increasingly associate their workplace happiness with their sense of purpose, learning and development opportunities, and day-to-day responsibilities.
The latest report found that 77% of respondents feel valued at work, while 74% described their jobs as fulfilling, revealing widespread positivity and satisfaction within the workplace.
While salary remained the top factor to attract and retain employees, purpose at work—how their work contributes to the overall company and personal goals—has a stronger impact on overall engagement and personal satisfaction, the report reveals.
Career progression also emerged as a major factor influencing retention, with 55% of respondents saying they think about changing careers somewhat or extremely often. Employees dissatisfied with career progression opportunities were significantly more likely to consider leaving their jobs, which is a key factor in considering clear development pathways among hirers.
Silent struggles among Filipino workers
Despite broad happiness levels, Jobstreet by SEEK reports that stress and burnout are having an impact on workers. Only two in five (41%) report being in control of their stress levels, while 38% said they are burnt out or extremely exhausted with their jobs.
Meanwhile, concerns surrounding artificial intelligence continue to emerge across industries, with 41% of workers expressing concern about AI’s potential impact on their jobs. Although job security is not heavily emphasized in driving happiness, these are potential challenges that companies may want to watch for as workplaces advance.
“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,” shared Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK in the Philippines.
Overall, workers who feel happy in their roles are nearly twice as likely to feel motivated to go above and beyond for their employer. This reveals that when businesses put employee happiness at the heart of their culture, they’re rewarded with greater engagement, productivity, and retention.
Learn more about Jobstreet by SEEK by visiting https://www.jobstreet.com.ph/.