SWS: Net personal optimism remains high

More Filipinos remained optimistic that their quality of life will improve in the next 12 months, but not as much when it comes to the economy, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) said in its first quarter survey.

Forty-three percent of 1,500 respondents said they expect their lives to get better (optimists) while four percent were somber (pessimists), yielding a net personal optimism score of 40, according to the SWS poll taken from March 30 to April 2.

The new net personal optimism matched the 40 recorded

in December last year.

SWS said net personal optimism remained “very high” across regions, with the Visayas posting a new record high 34 from 32.

It was steady in balance Luzon at 42 from December.

It hardly changed in Metro Manila, from 43 in December to 42 in April, while it fell two points in Mindanao to 39 in April from 41 in December.

By socio-economic class, net personal optimism increased among class ABC at 47, a level last seen in December 2011, the SWS noted.

It was at flat 41 among Class D from last December’s 40, while class E fell seven points to 35 from 42.

Meanwhile, net optimism about the economy dropped two points to a net 28 ( 35 percent optimistic and seven percent pessimist).

In Mindanao, fewer people have a positive outlook about the economy, from 36 in December to 27 in April.

It was 28 in the National Capital Region (from 26), 31 in balance Luzon (from 32) and 23 in the Visayas (from 24).

Optimism about the economy, however, rose by 19 points among class ABC, from 13 to 32. This was the highest score recorded since the 47 logged in November 2010, the SWS said.

It dropped three points among Class D to 28, and dipped seven points to 27 among Class E.

Results of the latest SWS poll were published in the newspaper BusinessWorld yesterday.