Today I Learned: Why Gen Z Is the Least Happy Among Filipino Workers

For many young professionals, work today is expected to be more than just a paycheck. It's about finding purpose, maintaining flexibility, and building a career that fits the life they want to live. But while those ideals are reshaping workplace expectations, they are also coming with a cost. 

According to the latest Workplace Happiness Index: Philippines 2025 released by Jobstreet by SEEK, Gen Z workers report the lowest workplace happiness at 76 percent, with 39 percent saying they often dread going to work, underscoring the higher levels of stress experienced by the country's youngest workforce. 

Millennials and Gen X record slightly higher levels of workplace happiness and job fulfillment, at 77 percent and 78 percent respectively.

While purpose and flexibility remain non-negotiable for Filipino professionals, generational differences continue to shape the local employment landscape.

Among Gen Z workers aged 18 to 29, workplace happiness is most strongly linked to purpose, with 76 percent satisfied with the meaning they find in their work. This is followed by satisfaction with work-from-home arrangements (73 percent) and company success (72 percent).

The report suggests that Gen Z workers want careers that align with their personal values while giving them the flexibility to work on their own terms. Yet despite this generally positive outlook, they also report higher levels of stress and emotional exhaustion than older generations. Nearly four in 10 respondents said they often dread going to work, with workload demands and stress remaining among their biggest pain points.

The findings highlight a generation that values meaningful work, flexibility, and autonomy—but is also more vulnerable to burnout as it navigates the early stages of its career.

Filipino millennials aged 30 to 44 identified workplace relationships, company culture, and shared values as the biggest drivers of workplace happiness. About 78 percent reported satisfaction with their sense of purpose at work, followed by satisfaction with their team and colleagues (70 percent) and company values (68 percent).

The report found that millennials place greater importance on supportive teams and positive workplace environments than other generations, reflecting a life stage where many are balancing career ambitions with personal and family responsibilities. Career progression and flexibility also remain key contributors to their satisfaction.

According to Jobstreet by SEEK, the Philippines' collectivist culture—which places a high value on community and relationships—likely reinforces these priorities.

For Gen X employees aged 45 to 59, work-life balance and career growth emerged as the strongest drivers of workplace happiness. Around 73 percent were satisfied with their work-life balance, while 69 percent expressed positive sentiments toward career progression opportunities and company success.

Compared with younger generations, Gen X workers are also more likely to feel fulfilled by their jobs, motivated to go above and beyond, and comfortable being themselves at work. Even so, stress and burnout remain concerns, with many respondents still reporting emotional exhaustion and dissatisfaction with their stress levels.

Overall, 77 percent of Filipino workers say they are somewhat or extremely happy at work, placing the Philippines among the happiest workforces in the Asia-Pacific region. But the report suggests that workplace happiness is far from one-size-fits-all. Instead, it evolves with each generation's life stage, career priorities, and expectations around well-being and mental health.

The Workplace Happiness Index: Philippines 2025 surveyed Filipino workers aged 18 to 64 nationwide from October to November 2025. The study examined workplace sentiment across industries, regions, and generations to provide employers with insights into the evolving needs of the country's workforce.

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