Youth, Work, and the Future: Optimism With Conditions

By Cliff Potts, CSO, and Editor-in-Chief of WPS News

Among Filipinos, no group views the future with more mixed emotion than the youth. Surveys show optimism about personal ambition and education, paired with deep concern about whether opportunity at home can keep pace with expectations. For many young Filipinos, the question is not whether they want to contribute to the country’s future—but whether the country will make room for them.

Public opinion reflects this tension clearly: hope remains strong, but it is increasingly conditional.

What Young Filipinos Appreciate

Young Filipinos generally view education access and digital connectivity as areas of progress. Expanded enrollment, scholarship programs, and online learning options are widely acknowledged. Many students and early-career workers say they feel better prepared than previous generations to navigate a modern economy.

There is also appreciation for:

• Greater visibility of skills-based work
• Growth in digital and remote employment
• Recognition of Filipino talent in global markets

For some, these developments signal that success does not require elite connections—only persistence and skill.

The Reality of the Job Market

Despite preparation, employment quality remains the central concern. Many young workers report difficulty finding stable, well-paying jobs that match their training.

Common challenges include:

• Contractual and short-term employment
• Low entry-level wages
• Limited career progression
• A mismatch between degrees and available jobs

These conditions shape life decisions. Delayed home ownership, postponed family planning, and reliance on multiple income streams are increasingly common among young adults.

The Overseas Option—and Its Cost

Overseas work remains a powerful safety valve. For many families, it is a proven path to stability. Young Filipinos recognize this reality and often view overseas employment as a rational choice rather than a last resort.

However, surveys reveal ambivalence. While OFW opportunities are respected, many young Filipinos express a desire to build careers at home—if conditions improve. The emotional and social costs of migration are well understood, even when the financial benefits are clear.

Expectations of Government Support

Young Filipinos tend to frame their expectations pragmatically. Rather than demanding guarantees, they ask for enabling conditions:

• Job creation tied to skills training
• Support for small businesses and startups
• Clear pathways from education to employment
• Protection against exploitative labor practices

There is also growing demand for transparency—clear information about opportunities, timelines, and realistic outcomes.

Optimism, With Conditions

The prevailing attitude among Filipino youth is not cynical, but cautious. They believe progress is possible, but only if economic growth translates into real opportunity.

As one respondent put it, “May pag-asa, pero kailangan ng dahilan para manatili.”
(There is hope, but there needs to be a reason to stay.)

Tomorrow’s final installment will examine what Filipinos want next—how reform, stability, and accountability can coexist without tearing institutions apart.

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References

Philippine Statistics Authority. (2024). Labor force survey: Youth employment trends. Quezon City, Philippines.

Social Weather Stations. (2024). Youth attitudes toward work, migration, and opportunity. Manila, Philippines.

International Labour Organization. (2023). Decent work and youth employment in the Philippines. Geneva, Switzerland.