Filipino Millennials optimistic about the future, but worried about conflict

Despite uncertainty around the world and toxic divisiveness in their own country, Filipino millennials, or Phillennials, are among the most optimistic globally when it comes to the future.

Results from Deloitte’s 2017 millennial survey released by Deloitte Southeast Asia member firm Navarro Amper & Co. (NA&Co.) showed that 89 percent of Phillennials expect the overall economic situation in the country to improve in the next 12 months, significantly higher than the global average of 45 percent and the Southeast Asia average of 53 percent.

An overwhelming proportion of Phillennials – 84 percent – also have a rosy outlook for the country’s social and political situation, while only 36 percent of their peers globally share that sentiment about the general sociopolitical situation.

In the case of Phillennials, there are definite gaps between what they are responsible for and what they can actually affect. Ninety percent of Phillennials believe they are accountable for client/customer satisfaction but only 77 percent feel they can influence results in this area. The biggest gap was seen in organisational integrity: 84 percent of Phillennials said they are accountable for ethical behavior at work, but only 67 percent of them feel they have any influence in that area.

“Business leaders can look at these areas as sign posts for improvements,” says Navarro. “It’s encouraging to see that most millennials are aware of their responsibilities at work, but where they express inadequate influence, business leaders can zero in on those areas and work to empower or train their millennial employees so they feel they have more control over outcomes and results.”

About the survey

The 2017 Deloitte Millennial Survey is based on the views of almost 8,000 millennials from 30 countries. Participants were born after 1982, have a college or university degree, are employed full-time, and work at predominantly large, private-sector organizations. In the Philippines, 300 millennials – equally split based on gender – were interviewed. Legwork for the survey was done in the last quarter of 2016.