Despite the daunting challenges in 2023, a remarkable 92 percent of Filipino adults will be entering 2024 with hope, according to a recent survey by Pulse Asia.

This resounding optimism, defying hardship, paints a vibrant picture of resilience and unwavering faith.

A closer look reveals diverse aspirations: young professionals dream of career breakthroughs, parents yearn for quality education for their children, and communities hope for more robust infrastructure and significant economic opportunities.

The survey conducted from 3 to 7 December showed that only 1 percent felt hopeless going into 2024, while 7 percent were neutral about the coming year.

"Amidst the various challenges Filipinos face on a daily basis, most of them continue to remain optimistic, with 92 percent saying they will face the new year with hope. This is the prevailing sentiment in every geographic area and socioeconomic grouping," the Pulse Asia survey showed.

The most optimistic Filipinos were those in the Visayas, with 95 percent of respondents saying they were hopeful, followed by Balance Luzon at 94 percent, National Capital Region at 92 percent, and Mindanao at 84 percent.

The survey also showed that 41 percent of the respondents believe their holiday celebrations will be as prosperous as last year's.

Around 30 percent expect their celebrations to be more prosperous this year than in 2022.

Sixteen percent said their holiday celebrations will be the same as last year because it was not prosperous. Meanwhile, 13 percent said the festivities would be "poorer" than last year.

The survey was held in the same week as the escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and China, the magnitude-7.4 earthquake in Surigao del Sur, the bombing at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, and a nationwide transport strike.

The nationwide survey was based on a sampling of 1,200 adults 18 years old and over. It has a ± 2.8 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level.

Poverty reduction brings optimism

Meanwhile, the optimism was also mirrored in the poverty rate, which went down to 22.4 percent in the first half of the year from 23.7 percent in the same period in 2021.

Philippine Statistics Authority Undersecretary and National Statistician Dennis Mapa said this was equivalent to 25.24 million Filipinos whose per capita income needed to be increased to meet their basic food and non-food needs. This is down from 2021's estimate of 26.14 million poor Filipinos.