In this study, we found that many Filipinos struggle to commit to healthier lifestyles.
Manulife Asia Care Survey 2025
A better life is measured in quality, not just years
What is Manulife Asia Care Survey?
Started in 2020, Manulife’s Asia Care Survey is an annual research study that explores the evolving behavior, sentiments and priorities of people from eight markets in Asia (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam) against the backdrop of volatile economic and sociopolitical realities impacting their financial goals, aspirations, and overall well-being.
This year's survey findings reveal a significant shift in priorities among consumers, emphasizing quality of life over lifespan. Filipinos surveyed prioritize health and financial independence to enjoy a better life over merely living a long, illness-free life. The survey also highlights the perceived importance of financial stability in maintaining overall health and quality-focused longevity. This underscores the importance of wellbeing in physical, mental, social, and financial aspects.
This evolving definition of longevity highlights the need for proactive engagement and support to help individuals make informed decisions and adopt behaviors aligning with their life goals. The survey also reveals a variety of approaches to planning for the future, indicating a broader opportunity for collaboration in guiding and empowering consumers to track progress and achieve a fulfilling, independent lifestyle in their later years.
This year’s Asia Care survey asked 1,000 Filipinos about their views on longevity. In the Philippines, life expectancy at birth is projected to reach 73 years by 2050, from 70 years in 2023. As people live longer, they start viewing longevity from a different lens, which focuses on meeting their own needs and priorities.
For the Filipinos surveyed, it’s all about “adding life to years” instead of the other ways around. They are now evolving how they view longevity—having a sense of purpose, quality of life, independence, health, and dignity. Reasons why maximizing lifespan is not a top wish included:
49% It is not how long I live - it is the quality of life that is more important
30% I don't want to live longer with chronice illnesses or disabilities
19% I am not financially prepared and don't have enough money to maintain the same active lifestyle quality after retirement
38% I don't want to be a burden to my family or rely on anyone for help
26% The cost of healthcare and potential financial burden is too much for me/my family
19% I am concerned about the potential decline in my mental health
Physical, mental, and financial health are all important factors affecting one’s desired life expectancy, with physical health being viewed as the most important.
The study found that Filipino parents and children across generations have found different ways to cope with the digitalization of everyday life.
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Goals related to having total financial freedom and maintaining physical, mental, and social health outrank living a longer life. Only 13% of respondents choose living a longer life as their top wish. This is likely due to the general awareness or belief that life expectancy is to keep increasing “by default.” As such, having total financial freedom, and maintaining physical, mental, and social health are valued more deeply.
Additionally, the survey also found that among Filipinos who prefer quality of life over lifespan, there’s a difference of 8 years between their desired lifespan and expected lifespan, which is larger than the regional average of 5 years. For younger consumers aged 25-34, the difference between their desired lifespan and expected lifespan is as large as 10 years.
In this study, we found that many Filipinos struggle to commit to healthier lifestyles.
In this study, we found that the pandemic has heightened the financial and mental health challenges of today’s most empowered generations.
Talk to a financial advisor today
Want to learn more about how to plan for a better, longer life?
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More than 40% of respondents have claimed they have started experiencing physical and/or mental health issues that they worry about / are impacting their life / lifestyle—a lot higher than the regional average of 36%. However, only 5 of the 17 preventive actions to stay healthy are taken by more than half of Filipino consumers, likely a contributing factor for the health issues experienced even at a young age.
These preventive actions include drinking the amount of water per day recommended by health professionals, taking vitamins and other supplements, reducing stress and anxiety by maintaining work-life balance, having the amount of sleep per day recommended by health professionals, and maintaining a healthy body weight.
Only 4 of the 13 health indicators are monitored by more than half of Filipino consumers, and those scientifically proven to be vital signs or predictors of health and lifespan, such as muscle mass and oxygen intake, are neglected by many.
Despite the few actions taken and few indicators monitored, many (74%) consider their current efforts to stay “healthy” are sufficient.
In this study, we found that many Filipinos struggle to commit to healthier lifestyles.
In this study, we found that the pandemic has heightened the financial and mental health challenges of today’s most empowered generations.
Talk to a financial advisor today
Want to learn more about how to plan for a better, longer life?
Health
Hospital-based medical insurance for the treatment of non-critical and critical illnesses
Health
Be prepared when critical illness strike with a comprehensive health plan that does the work for you
About 4 in 5 surveyed Filipino consumers believe their financial wellbeing has great impact on their health span (both physical and mental) and lifespan. In fact, wealth or financial wellbeing is believed to be as great as family relationships on mental health.
However, despite this awareness level, the average retirement savings among Filipinos is only PHP 630,000—16% of the PHP 3.85 million they estimate they will need to retire comfortably.
In this study, we found that many Filipinos struggle to commit to healthier lifestyles.
In this study, we found that the pandemic has heightened the financial and mental health challenges of today’s most empowered generations.
Talk to a financial advisor today
Want to learn more about how to plan for a better, longer life?
Health
Hospital-based medical insurance for the treatment of non-critical and critical illnesses
Health
Be prepared when critical illness strike with a comprehensive health plan that does the work for you
For Filipinos’ retirement planning, cash and fixed deposits remain king. The survey found that 66% view keeping their money in cash or fixed deposits as one of their top 2 priorities, while 51% express they want to invest in property. However, more than half (54%) also expressed a desire for steady income streams during retirement—something that cash-heavy portfolios may not be able to provide, especially in the face of inflation and rising healthcare costs.
The study found that it is evident that having help from professional financial planners can make a huge difference in people’s financial readiness for retirement. The value of professional financial advice is also apparent: 70% of those who work with financial planners believe they will have enough funds for retirement, compared to only 38% of those without such guidance.
Supporting Filipinos' fresh definition of Longevity
As Philippine life expectancy continues to increase in the coming years, the need for comprehensive health and wealth planning becomes more important than ever.
"The message from Filipinos is clear—they want to age with dignity, maintain their independence, and have the financial freedom to do what matters to them," said Rahul Hora, Manulife Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer. "At Manulife, we are committed to evolving our products and services to support this vision. That means offering solutions that go beyond medical and critical illness coverage to address health protection needs and offering investment options that can provide reliable income streams for a better, more fulfilling life.”
For the Asia-specific data version, please visit this link.
What can you do?
The Asia Care Survey 2025 reveals a clear connection between financial well-being and overall quality of life, particularly in retirement. While many people in Asia recognize the importance of financial health, gaps in preparation remain, with many feeling uncertain about their ability to sustain themselves during their later years. This is where proactive planning and informed financial decisions become critical.
Achieving a better quality of life in retirement begins with taking deliberate steps today.
- Diversify your investments: Relying solely on cash or property may no longer be the safest or most effective investment strategy. Move beyond the traditional mindset of ‘cash/property is king’ and consider broadening your investment approach to achieve your desired lifestyle in retirement.
- Create sustainable income streams: Explore alternative financial or investment products that can provide steady and sustainable income streams, especially those tailored to long-term retirement goals.
- Get expert advice: Consult with financial planners who can help you create a personalized strategy to maximize your financial readiness. Manulife’s trusted financial solutions and expert guidance have helped many customers significantly improve their retirement outcomes over the years.
- Adjust your strategy at every life stage:
- If you are a young adult (25-34), start investing early to maximize the growth potential of your investments. By focusing on higher-growth assets, you can set yourself up for success later on
- If you are a middle-aged working professional (35-54), it is important for you to balance growth with stability. Diversify your portfolio with a mix of sustainable income-generating and growth-focused assets to meet both short-term responsibilities and long-term retirement goals. Regularly review your financial plan to adapt to changes in your life stage, health, and aspirations.
- If you are an older adult nearing retirement (55+), focus on maintaining financial resilience as you approach retirement. With people living longer, staying invested can support your independence and help manage inflation and unexpected costs. Look for strategies that provide steady income while protecting your savings for the future. Remember, the journey to a fulfilling retirement is unique for everyone. Taking small, proactive steps now can lead to a more comfortable and enjoyable future.
For the Asia-specific data version, please visit this link.
In this study, we found that many Filipinos struggle to commit to healthier lifestyles.
In this study, we found that the pandemic has heightened the financial and mental health challenges of today’s most empowered generations.
Talk to a financial advisor today
Want to learn more about how to plan for a better, longer life?
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