Philippines ranks second in APAC workplace happiness, Jobstreet by SEEK finds

The Philippines has emerged as the second-happiest workforce in the Asia-Pacific region, with employees increasingly placing greater value on purpose, fulfilment, and career development over compensation alone, according to a new report from 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” at work, trailing only Indonesia, which recorded 82%.

The study, conducted between October and November 2025, surveyed more than 10,500 employed individuals across Asia-Pacific markets, including 1,000 Filipino workers aged between 18 and 64.

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The findings reflect a broader shift in employee expectations, as workers increasingly evaluate employers based on meaningful work, wellbeing, and long-term career prospects alongside traditional incentives such as salary and workplace flexibility.

According to the report, a strong sense of purpose emerged as one of the most significant contributors to workplace happiness. Filipino employees reported valuing work that aligns with both company goals and personal aspirations, highlighting how engagement is becoming increasingly tied to meaning rather than financial reward alone.

The study found that 77% of respondents felt valued at work, while 74% described their roles as fulfilling.

Regional differences in workplace happiness were relatively narrow. Employees in the Visayas recorded the highest happiness levels at 82%, followed by Metro Manila at 77%, while Luzon and Mindanao both posted 76%. The report noted that the consistency across regions suggests a broadly shared sentiment among Filipino workers regarding workplace satisfaction.

Despite positive overall sentiment, the study also highlighted persistent concerns around stress and burnout. Only 41% of respondents said they felt in control of their stress levels, while 38% reported feeling burnt out or extremely exhausted in their jobs.

Career mobility also remains a significant issue for employers. More than half of respondents, or 55%, said they think about changing careers somewhat or extremely often, with dissatisfaction over career progression emerging as a major factor influencing retention.

At the same time, artificial intelligence continues to shape workforce anxieties, with 41% of employees expressing concern over AI’s potential impact on their jobs.

Dannah Majarocon, managing director of Jobstreet by SEEK in the Philippines, said the findings reflect changing workforce expectations and the growing importance of workplace culture in retaining talent.

“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,” she said.

The report also suggested that happier employees are significantly more engaged at work, with workers who are satisfied in their roles nearly twice as likely to go above and beyond for their employers.

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