Filipinos’ happiness linked to P130K monthly earnings, study reveals
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by Balikbayan Store
1 min reading time
A recent study reveals that Filipinos require an annual income of $28,264, or approximately P130,000 per month, to achieve happiness. This figure, calculated by consumer website Expensivity, factors in the cost of living and purchasing power in the Philippines, using data from the World Bank and findings from a Purdue University study.
The amount is nearly three times the average annual family income in the Philippines, according to the latest figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority. The study highlights the growing financial pressure on Filipino households, where the majority struggle to make ends meet.
Dr. Anna Cristina Tuazon, associate professor at the University of the Philippines, explained that while money alone may not guarantee happiness, it certainly alleviates many of the hardships faced by Filipinos.
“Our reality is that most Filipinos struggle financially due to the high cost of living and low wages,” she said. “Even the middle class struggles with food and utility costs.”
While happiness is subjective and varies from person to person, the study underscores the importance of financial stability in improving quality of life for Filipinos. It also notes that the focus on meeting basic needs often leaves little room for higher-level aspirations, as explained by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
Though money does not directly equate to happiness, experts suggest that it provides the security and resources needed to pursue well-being and personal growth.
