Global survey finds Philippine millennials among most bullish

Amid political noise and uncertainties at home, Filipino millennials — or “Phillennials” — remain among the most optimistic in the world, according to findings of Deloitte’s 2017 millennial survey that were released yesterday by Deloitte Southeast Asia member Navarro Amper & Co. The survey was conducted in the fourth quarter of last year among nearly 8,000 millennials — born after 1982, who have a college degree and work full-time in large private-sector organizations — from 30 countries. There were 300 respondents — with equal gender representation — in the Philippines.

AMID political noise and uncertainties at home, Filipino millennials or “Phillennials” remain among the most optimistic in the world, according to findings of Deloitte’s 2017 millennial survey released yesterday by Deloitte Southeast Asia member firm Navarro Amper & Co. (NA&Co.)

NA& Co.’s statement summarizing survey results showed 89% of “Phillennials” polled expect the overall economic situation in the Philippines to improve in the next 12 months, “significantly higher” than the global average of 45% and Southeast Asia’s 53%.

The survey was conducted among nearly 8,000 millennials from 30 countries. Participants were born after 1982, have a college or university degree and are employed full-time predominantly in large private-sector organizations. In the Philippines, 300 millennials — with equal gender representation — were interviewed. Legwork for the survey was done in 2016’s fourth quarter.

The poll found 84% of Filipino respondents had a rosy outlook for the country’s social and political situation, compared to 36% globally that shared such sentiment regarding the counterpart situations in respective countries.

Deloitte noted that optimism among emerging market millennials is on an upswing, in contrast to the slump seen among their developed market peers.

“Notably, lack of optimism regarding ‘social progress’ is most evident in Belgium, France, Germany and the United Kingdom — nations that are now dealing with the reality of Brexit and the rise of far-right populism,” Deloitte said in its statement on survey results.

“Meanwhile, greater optimism is seen in the Philippines, Brazil, India, Indonesia and Turkey,” it added.

“On a more personal level, most ‘Phillennials’ also expect to be financially better off (84%) and happier (76%) than their parents,” Deloitte noted.

“Globally, those figures stand at just 26% and 23%, respectively,” while averages for Southeast Asia stood at 44% and 38%.

For “Phillennials,” terrorism emerged as the top concern, with 40% of respondents admitting it worries them, while 35% cited “crime/ personal safety” as a “great concern,” Deloitte reported. Rounding up Filipino respondents’ top five concerns were health care/disease prevention (29%), climate change/ protecting the environment/ natural disasters ( 27%) as well as unemployment (24%).

More than nine out of 10 “Phillennials” feel that not only does the government have the ability to solve issues that worry them, “it has already made a positive impact in addressing these problems.”

Moreover, about 69% of “Phillennials” feel it is acceptable for political leaders to give “opinions with passion” and 55% said it is all right for them “to take controversial or divisive positions.”