A majority of employees in the Philippines are considering job changes in the next 12 months, seeking improved benefits to address rising costs of living and mental health challenges, according to a global study released by professional services firm Aon plc.
The 2025 Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study, which surveyed over 9,000 employees across 23 countries, including the U.S., China, India, and Japan, found that 64% of Filipino workers are either actively job hunting or likely to seek new employment within a year.
The findings underscore the need for employers to prioritize competitive total rewards packages to attract and retain talent in a tightening labor market.
“Competition for skilled talent is increasing across the Philippines. This affects not just Manila where the right talent is more readily available but also in cities like Cebu, Davao, and other islands within the archipelago. In such an environment, managing and retaining employees is important for firms to remain competitive,” said Josef Ayson, growth lead for Talent Solutions for the Philippines at Aon.
“Compensation strategies based on the latest data and analytics from their own organizations as well as the market, can help companies make more informed decisions on attracting and retaining employees in this evolving workforce landscape,” he added.
The study revealed that medical coverage, paid time off, and work-life balance programs are among the most valued benefits for Filipino employees. Notably, 83% of respondents said they would trade existing benefits for more personalized and flexible options, highlighting a shift toward tailored rewards.
The top five benefits prioritized by Filipino workers are medical coverage, paid time off, work-life balance programs, career development, and retirement savings.
“Amid continued economic volatility and the rising cost of living, there is a growing expectation for employers to provide medical coverage and support for mental and financial wellbeing,” said Cris Rosenthal, strategic advisory lead for Health Solutions for the Philippines at Aon. “Employers must rethink their approach to employee benefits balancing wages with flexible benefits to attract and retain the talent they need.”
Financial well-being has also emerged as a critical concern, with 65% of employees emphasizing the need for employer-supported retirement savings and 58% calling for financial education programs. These insights highlight the importance of leveraging data-driven strategies to craft holistic employee value propositions that align with workforce expectations.
As competition for talent grows, Aon’s findings suggest that employers who adapt their benefits packages to address financial, mental, and physical well-being will be better positioned to attract and retain top talent in the Philippines.