Ability to meet health emergencies is top aspiration, says poll

Achieving financial security to handle health emergencies is the top aspiration among Filipinos, a survey conducted by global management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has shown.

At a media briefing in Taguig City on Tuesday, BCG managing director and partner Julian Cua discussed the results of the consulting firm’s latest study “The Filipino Dream.”

Cua said that 58% of the 1,484 respondents surveyed identified financial security, particularly to handle healthcare emergencies as their “top dream.”

This was followed by the desire to start a business to ensure economic stability and independence at 56%.

Cua said the top two aspirations identified by respondents reflect a prevailing sentiment across Filipino society—a desire for resilience, self-sufficiency, and progress that reflects the Filipino spirit.

The survey, conducted in the first two weeks of October, used a combination of online and offline-assisted methods to capture insights while preserving age, income, and geographic diversity. 

“We think the findings of our study will surprise many people,” said Cua. 

“But we think it presents a clear picture of the barriers Filipinos face and their resilience in overcoming them. By understanding both the dreams of different Filipinos and their motivations behind them, we believe corporations in the Philippines will be able to support and empower them at every stage of their journey,” he added.

The latest study, according to BCG, could offer key insights for businesses, policymakers, and leaders aiming to help Filipinos achieve their aspirations. 

Cua said that with the knowledge that Filipinos perceive starting a business to attain financial security to better address health scares, financial institutions, for instance, could develop accessible financial products that respond to immediate needs and long-term aspirations. 

For healthcare providers, he said that there is an urgent call to improve accessibility and affordability, particularly in preventive care and insurance offerings. 

Meanwhile, businesses can strengthen micro-entrepreneurship support, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with pathways to financial independence. 

“Our hope is that these findings serve as a rallying point for leaders across sectors. The Filipino Dream is not just an individual goal; it’s a collective vision for progress. Together, we can empower every Filipino to achieve their fullest potential and address the barriers that hold them back,” Cua said. —NB, GMA Integrated News