Jobs, education, healthcare worry young Pinoys — Study

CEBU, Philippines — More than four in five Filipino youth have a positive outlook for the next five years, but job security, education and healthcare were cited as top concerns that should be addressed, according to a study by government relations arm Vero Advocacy and global market research agency Kadence International.

The study showed that 43 percent of Gen Z Filipinos are expecting a much better future and 42 percent are anticipating a better life in the next five years. This is slightly higher than the combined optimism rate of millennial Filipinos at 84 percent.

Covering 2,700 Gen Z and millennials across six Southeast Asian countries, including 453 respondents from the Philippines, the study seeks to provide insights in developing policies and initiatives to address current needs and drive long-term growth.

Overall, the study showed that Filipino youth are more optimistic than their peers in Singapore (69 percent) and Malaysia (77 percent), but share the same level of optimism for the future as those in Indonesia (89 percent), Vietnam (89 percent) and Thailand (87 percent).

Despite the optimism, Gen Z and millennials in the Philippines said they face challenges in terms of employment opportunities, quality education and accessible healthcare.

According to the study, 31 percent of Gen Z Filipinos and 36 percent of millennial Filipinos ranked employment opportunities as the top challenge they face due to the lack of jobs.

To help address this issue, the Filipino youth are calling for the implementation of programs to create jobs and provide better employment services like career counseling and job placement schemes.

The study also showed that 31 percent of Gen Z and 30 percent of millennial Filipinos have identified the quality of education as among the top challenges in the country.

For young Filipinos, the government should prioritize investments in educational facilities and technology, as well as enhanced professional development for educators to address the issue.

Access to healthcare was another challenge cited by 10 percent of Filipino Gen Z and 14 percent of Filipino millennials.

To improve the situation, survey respondents see the need for government action to improve the quality of healthcare and make it affordable and accessible.

As Southeast Asia’s youth are poised to drive the region’s future, Vero Advocacy managing partner Pongsiri Poorintanachote said “addressing these challenges is not just beneficial but essential for harnessing their full potential and ensuring a sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”

Vero Advocacy managing partner Nattabhorn Buamahakul said it is crucial for governments and policymakers to recognize the youth’s aspirations by actively improving their living standards and opportunities, emphasizing that the future relies on empowering the young generation to attain a better quality of life.— (FREEMAN)