Gen Z Filipinos—those born between 1997 and 2012—have grown up surrounded by the internet, social media, and rapid technological advancement. Ironically, however, despite being the most digitally connected generation, many of them feel deeply lonely.
In fact, according to the 2023 Meta-Gallup report, the Philippines was ranked the second most lonely country in the world, and the loneliest in Southeast Asia.
A Generation That’s Connected, Yet Feels Alone
Data shows that Gen Z Filipinos are among the most vulnerable age groups when it comes to loneliness. According to CNA, the Global School-Based Health Survey revealed a steep rise in the number of Filipino teenagers aged 13–17 who reported feeling lonely “most of the time or always” — from 19.4% in 2015 to 24.2% in 2019. Notably, this increase occurred even before the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic only made things worse. With one of the world’s longest lockdowns, many young people lost access to in-person social interaction.
Face-to-face classes only fully resumed in November 2022, and the public health emergency was officially lifted in mid-2023. According to Noel Reyes, Director of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), this significantly worsened feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Dependence on Social Media: Solution or Source of the Problem?
As a digital-native generation, Gen Z Filipinos are extremely familiar with social media. But this habit hasn’t proven to be a long-term solution for combating loneliness.
According to the Digital 2024 report, the Philippines has over 87 million social media identities, accounting for about 73% of the total population. With an average daily usage of 3 hours and 34 minutes, the country ranks fourth globally in time spent on social media—surpassing regional neighbors like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Yet as psychiatrist Dinah Nadera points out, digital connection doesn’t necessarily equal emotional connection. “Some people will rely on [social media] without being socially connected. But in the long term, you’re not building a relationship with someone,” she said.
The Harsh Reality Behind Migration Numbers
Another major factor contributing to mental health issues and feelings of loneliness among Gen Z Filipinos is the absence of parental figures in their daily lives. As of 2023, more than 2.3 million Filipinos work abroad as migrant laborers—leaving many young people to grow up without the presence of their parents.
According to the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI), one-third of Filipino youth grow up without both biological parents. They are often raised by relatives or move from one guardian to another.
Even when parents do not work overseas, many still migrate to urban areas in search of work, leaving their children behind in rural provinces. Clinical psychologist Violeta Bautista notes that many young people feel a lack of emotional and social support because their parents are absent both physically and emotionally.
Mental Health: Recognized but Underserved
Although awareness of mental health issues is growing, the Philippines still faces a shortage of professionals in this field. According to the Philippine Mental Health Association, there are currently fewer than one mental health worker per 100,000 people.
However, the government has started taking action. Since the Mental Health Law was passed in 2018, mental health services have become more accessible.
In 2019, the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) launched a crisis hotline that initially received about 13 calls per day. At the height of the pandemic, that number surged to 74 calls daily, mostly from people aged 18 to 30. Today, the hotline still receives an average of 60 calls per day.
The Philippine Department of Health has also allocated 683 million pesos to mental health programs for 2024. Still, as Noel Reyes points out, comprehensive programs aimed at educating Gen Z Filipinos about loneliness have yet to be fully implemented.
New Hope: From Art to Content Creators
Despite the many challenges, there is still hope. Several grassroots movements have emerged to educate and support the younger generation. One example is the Julia Buencamino Project, which uses art as a medium for healing and education for students and parents alike.
Content creators like Keith Mirandilla are also using social media to normalize mental health conversations. Through YouTube and TikTok videos, he shares personal experiences and offers encouragement to his audience. “When people tell me that my videos saved them, it gives me a sense of belonging in the world,” he said.
