Pinoys’ happy Yuletide expectations drop

Filipinos’ hopes for a “happy” Christmas have declined in 2024, according to a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS). The percentage of those expecting a joyful holiday dropped by 8 percent, from 73 percent in 2023 to 65 percent in 2024.

This marks a decline from the highest recorded figure of 82 percent in 2002. The lowest was 50 percent in 2020, during the pandemic. Confidence in Christmas joy rebounded in 2021 with 65 percent, followed by 73 percent in 2022.

Meanwhile, 10 percent of respondents expected a sad Christmas, while 26 percent anticipated neither a happy nor sad one. The survey, conducted from 12 to 18 December with 2,160 respondents aged 18 and above, was released on 24 December.

In the same survey, Filipinos expressed gratitude for various aspects of their lives in 2024. Forty-seven percent were thankful for good health, 25 percent for family, and 24 percent for simply being alive.

Other notable mentions included job/career/income (7 percent), God (7 percent), food to eat three times a day (6 percent), and coping with daily hardships (5 percent). Peace, safety, happiness, and prosperity each received 3 percent.