SWS Opinion Survey On Divorce

SWS SPECIAL REPORT: 23 MARCH 2015
Page 1 of 10
52 Malingap St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City
Website: www.sws.org.ph
Tel: 924-4456, 924-4465

Fax: 920-2181
Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Survey:

60% favor legalization of divorce;
was 50% in 2011 and 43% in 2005
Social Weather Stations
Public support for legalization of divorce for irreconcilably separated couples grew to a
clear majority of 60% in December 2014, from a plurality of 50% in March 2011 and a split
opinion of 43-44% in May 2005.
The Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Survey, fielded over November 27- December 1,
2014, found that 60% of adult Filipinos agreed (38% strongly and 22% somewhat), and only
29% disagreed (8% somewhat and 21% strongly) that Married couples who have already
separated and cannot reconcile anymore should be allowed to divorce so that they can get legally
married again." The balance were undecided on the matter.
In March 2011, the proposition elicited 50% agreement, which was a plurality since greater
than the 33% disagreement. In May 2005, it elicited a split opinion of 43% agreement and 44%
disagreement [Chart 1].
The +31 net agreement in December 2014 is called Strong. It is an upgrade from the +18
net agreement, called Moderate, in March 2011, and a double upgrade from the -2 net agreement,
called Neutral, in May 2005.
The SWS terminology for net agreement: +50 and above, "very strong"; +30 to
+49, "strong"; +10 to +29, "moderate", +9 to -9, "neutral"; -10 to -29, "poor"; -30
to -49, "weak"; -50 and below, "very weak". SWS considers the movement from
one classification to another as either an "upgrade" or "downgrade".
March 23 - Opinion on Divorce (special report_FINAL).docx

Page 2 of 10
Support for divorce has always been strong among those with live-in partners
Since May 2005, support for divorce has always been strong among those with live-in
partners. On the other hand, it switched from neutral to strong among singles, and from neutral to
moderate among marrieds.
The December 2014 survey found that 16% of adult Filipinos have live-in partners, twice
the 8% in March 2011, and four times the 4% in May 2005 [Chart 2]. It found 63% married,
compared to 67% in March 2011 and 73% in May 2005.
There were 21% single, compared to 24% in March 2011 and 23% in May 2005.
Among those with live-in partners, 66% agreed with the proposition in December 2014, up
from 62% in March 2011 and 63% in May 2005. Net agreement has always been strong at +39 in
December 2014, +35 in March 2011 and +36 in May 2005 [Chart 3].
Among singles, 60% agreed in December 2014, up from 52% in March 2011 and 45% in
May 2005. The latest net agreement of strong +33 is above the moderate +22 in March 2011, and
the neutral +7 in May 2005.
Among those who are married, 58% agreed in December 2014, up from 49% in March 2011
and 41% in May 2005. The net agreement of moderate +28 is above the +14 in March 2011, and
the neutral -7 in May 2005.
Support for divorce rose in all areas
The 13-point rise in the overall net agreement from March 2011 to December 2014 was due
to increases of 29 points in Metro Manila, 18 points in Mindanao, 8 points in Balance Luzon, and 7
points in the Visayas [Chart 4].
The December 2014 survey found that 67% of adults in Metro Manila agreed with the
proposition, up from 52% in March 2011 and 44% in May 2005. The latest net agreement of strong
+46 is above the moderate +17 in March 2011, and the neutral -1 in May 2005 [Chart 4].
In Balance Luzon, 62% agreed, up from 54% in March 2011 and 51% in May 2005. The net
agreement of moderate +32 is above the +24 in March 2011, and the +11 in May 2005.
In the Visayas, 55% agreed, up from 50% in March 2011 and 32% in May 2005. The net
agreement of moderate +20 is above the moderate +13 in March 2011, and the poor -24 in May
2005.

Page 3 of 10
In Mindanao, 55% agreed with the proposition, up from 44% in March 2011 and 36% in
May 2005. The latest net agreement of moderate +27 is up from the neutral +9 in March 2011 and
-7 in May 2005.
Support for divorce rose in classes D and E
Since 2005, net agreement with legalizing divorce for separated couples has always been
moderate in class ABC, while it switched from neutral to strong in class D, and from poor to
moderate in class E.
In class ABC, the December 2014 survey found that 57% agreed to the proposition, similar
to 57% in March 2011 and 59% in May 2005. The net agreement of moderate +21 compares to +16
in March 2011, and +25 in May 2005 [Chart 5].
In class D, 60% agreed, up from 52% in March 2011 and 42% in May 2005. The latest net
agreement of good +32 is above the moderate +20 in March 2011, and the neutral -2 in May 2005.
In class E, 58% agreed, up from 45% in March 2011 and 37% in May 2005. The net
agreement of moderate +28 is up from the moderate +11 in March 2011, and the poor -13 in May
2005.
Support for divorce rose regardless of sex and marital status
Support for legalization of divorce rose among men and women with stronger support
coming from the former regardless of whether married, living-in with a partner, or single.
The December 2014 survey found that 62% of men agreed with the proposition, up from
52% in March 2011 and 44% in May 2005. The net agreement of strong +36 is above the moderate
+21 in March 2011, and the neutral +1 in May 2005 [Chart 6].
Among women, 57% agreed, up from 49% in March 2011 and 41% in May 2005. The latest
net agreement of moderate +25 is above the moderate +14 in March 2011, and the neutral -5 in
May 2005.
Among men with live-in partners, 65% agreed, up from 63% in March 2011 and 54% in
May 2005. The net agreement of strong +38 is similar to the +36 in March 2011, and above the
moderate +23 in May 2005 [Chart 7].
Among women with live-in partners, 66% agreed, up from 62% in March 2011 and below
the 71% in May 2005. The net agreements of +39 in December 2014, +35 in March 2011, and +48
in May are all strong.

Page 4 of 10
Among married men, 61% agreed, up from 50% in March 2011 and 43% in May 2005. The
net agreement of strong +33 is above the moderate +18 in March 2011, and the neutral -3 in May
2005 [Chart 8].
Among married women, 55% agreed, up from 47% in March 2011 and 39% in May 2005.
The net agreement of moderate +22 is up from the moderate +10 in March 2011, and the poor -10
in May 2005.
Among single men, 64% agreed, up from 53% in March 2011 and 45% in May 2005. The
latest net agreement of strong +42 is above the moderate +23 in March 2011 and +11 in May 2005
[Chart 9].
Among single women, 56% agreed, up from 51% in March 2011 and 44% in May 2005.
The net agreement of moderate +22 is similar to the +20 in March 2011, and above the neutral +4
in May 2005.
Survey Background
The Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Survey was conducted from November 27December 1, 2014 using face-to-face interviews of 1,800 adults in Metro Manila, the Balance of
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (sampling error margins of 2% for national percentages, 6% for
Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, and Mindanao areas percentages, and 3% for Visayas area
percentages).
The area estimates were weighted by National Statistics Office medium-population
projections for 2014 to obtain the national estimates.
The SWS survey question on divorce is non-commissioned, and is included on SWS's own
initiative and released as a public service.
The exact phrasing of the question is: Gaano po kayo sang-ayon o hindi sang-ayon sa
pangungusap na ito: Ang mga mag-asawang hiwalay na at hindi na maaaring magkasundo pa ay
dapat pahintulutang mag-diborsyo para ang mga ito ay legal na makapag-asawa uli? Kayo po ba
ay LUBOS NA SUMASANG-AYON, MEDYO SUMASANG-AYON, HINDI TIYAK KUNG
SUMASANG-AYON O HINDI SUMASANG-AYON, MEDYO HINDI SUMASANG-AYON, o LUBOS
NA HINDI SUMASANG-AYON sa pangungusap na ito? [How much do you agree or disagree with
this statement: Married couples who have already separated and cannot reconcile anymore
should be allowed to divorce so that they can get legally married again? Do you STRONGLY

Page 5 of 10
AGREE, SOMEWHAT AGREE, UNDECIDED IF AGREE OR DISAGREE, SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE, or STRONGLY DISAGREE with this statement?].
SWS employs its own staff for questionnaire design, sampling, fieldwork, data-processing,
and analysis, and does not outsource any of its survey operations.

Page 6 of 10
Chart 1
AGREE-DISAGREE: Married couples who have already
separated and cannot reconcile anymore should be allowed to
divorce so that they can get legally married again, TOTAL PH,
MAY 2005, MAR 2011 AND DEC 2014
Agree
Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Somewhat
Somewhat
Agree Undecided
Disagree
24
May 2005
19
27
Mar 2011
12
23
16
38
Dec 2014
10
17
22
30
Net*
28
-2
13
19
+18
21
+31
11
50
% of adults
Strongly
Disagree
70
90
* Net figures = %Strongly/Somewhat Agree MINUS %Somewhat/Strongly Disagree, correctly rounded. Blank spaces are
Refused and Dont Know responses.
Q. Gaano po kayo sang-ayon o hindi sang-ayon sa pangungusap na ito: ANG MGA MAG-ASAWANG HIWALAY NA AT
HINDI NA MAAARING MAGKASUNDO PA AY DAPAT PAHINTULUTANG MAG-DIBORSYO PARA ANG MGA ITO AY LEGAL NA
MAKAPAG-ASAWA ULI? KAYO PO BA AY LUBOS NA SUMASANG-AYON, MEDYO SUMASANG-AYON, HINDI TIYAK KUNG
SUMASANG-AYON O HINDI SUMASANG-AYON, MEDYO HINDI SUMASANG-AYON, O LUBOS NA HINDI SUMASANG-AYON
SA PANGUNGUSAP NA ITO? (LUBOS NA SUMASANG-AYON, MEDYO SUMASANG-AYON, HINDI TIYAK KUNG SUMASANGAYON O HINDI SUMASANG-AYON, MEDYO HINDI SUMASANG-AYON, LUBOS NA HINDI SUMASANG-AYON)
Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Report

November 27-December 1, 2014 National Survey
Chart 2
MARITAL STATUS OF RESPONDENTS,
TOTAL PH, MAY 2005, MAR 2011 AND DEC 2014
Married
Live-in
73
May 2005
Mar 2011
67
Dec 2014
20
23
63
24
16
40
60
Single
21
80
100
% of adults


Page 7 of 10
Chart 3
AGREE-DISAGREE: Married couples who have already separated
and cannot reconcile anymore should be allowed to divorce so
that they can get legally married again, BY MARITAL STATUS,
MAY 2005, MAR 2011 AND DEC 2014
Undecided
Agree
41
May 2005
Married Mar 2011
Dec 2014
49
11
62
11
66
Dec 2014
+36
+35
+22
27
12
50
% of adults
+39
+7
30
19
60
30
26
27
38
16
52
10
+28
27
45
+14
30
12
63
May 2005
With live-in
Mar 2011
partner
Net*
-7
34
16
58
Single May 2005

(no spouse/ Mar 2011
partner) Dec 2014
Disagree
48
11
70
+33
90
* Net agreement = %Strongly/Somewhat Agree MINUS %Somewhat/Strongly Disagree, correctly rounded. Blanks
spaces are Dont Know and Refused responses.

Chart 4
divorce so that they can get legally married again, BY AREA,
MAY 2005, MAR 2011 AND DEC 2014
Agree
44
May 2005
NCR Mar 2011
Dec 2014
Undecided
Disagree
10
45
52
13
35
67
12
51
54
May 2005
Bal. Luzon Mar 2011
32
May 2005
Visayas Mar 2011
40
10
56
14
10
36
May 2005
Mindanao Mar 2011
21
44
55
Dec 2014
10
16
30
37
35
-24
+13
+20
35
28
-7
+9
+27
43
21
50
% of adults
70
-1
+17
+46
+11
+24
+32
29
30
50
55
Dec 2014
21
16
62
Dec 2014
Net*
90


Page 8 of 10
Chart 5
divorce so that they can get legally married again, BY CLASS,
MAY 2005, MAR 2011 AND DEC 2014
Undecided
Agree
ABC
59
May 2005
Mar 2011
Dec 2014
57
60
+20
28
+32
50
13
-13
34
19
58
30
32
11
45
10
+21
-2
16
37
+16
44
13
52
May 2005
Mar 2011
Dec 2014
+25
36
42
May 2005
Mar 2011
Dec 2014
Net*
34
40
57
Disagree
30
11
50
% of adults
+11
70
+28
90

Chart 6
divorce so that they can get legally married again, AMONG MEN
AND WOMEN, MAY 2005, MAR 2011 AND DEC 2014
Undecided
Agree
44
May 2005
43
12
52
Men Mar 2011
41
May 2005
Women Mar 2011
49
10
+14
32
11
50
-5
35
15
30
+36
46
57
Dec 2014
+21
26
11
12
70
Net*
+1
30
17
62
Dec 2014
Disagree
+25
90
% of adults


Page 9 of 10
Chart 7
divorce so that they can get legally married again,
AMONG MEN AND WOMEN WITH LIVE-IN PARTNER,
MAY 2005, MAR 2011 AND DEC 2014
Undecided
Agree
May 2005
54
Men
with live-in Mar 2011
partner
63
Dec 2014
Disagree
15
31
10
27
+36
27
+38
65
May 2005
71
Women
with live-in Mar 2011
partner
62
Dec 2014
30
22
11
66
10
Net*
+23
7
50
% of adults
+48
27
+35
27
+39
70
90

Chart 8
that they can get legally married again, AMONG MARRIED MEN
AND WOMEN, MAY 2005, MAR 2011 AND DEC 2014
Undecided
Agree
43
May 2005
Married Mar 2011

men
10
46
50
18
61
Dec 2014
39
May 2005
Married Mar 2011

women
28
15
+33
50
-10
38
13
30
+18
49
55
10
31
12
+10
32
70
Net*
-3
11
47
Dec 2014
Disagree
+22
90
% of adults


Page 10 of 10
Chart 9
that they can get legally married again, AMONG SINGLE MEN AND
WOMEN, MAY 2005, MAR 2011 AND DEC 2014
Agree
Undecided
45
May 2005
Single Mar 2011

men
34
53
18
64
Dec 2014
44
May 2005
Single Mar 2011

women
19
22
50
+20
34
70
+42
+4
30
30
+23
40
56
10
29
14
Net*
+11
14
51
Dec 2014
Disagree
18
+22
90
% of adults


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SWS SPECIAL REPORT: 23 MARCH 2015

Tel: 924-4456, 924-4465

Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Survey:

March 23 - Opinion on Divorce (special report_FINAL).docx

SWS SPECIAL REPORT: 23 MARCH 2015

SWS SPECIAL REPORT: 23 MARCH 2015

SWS SPECIAL REPORT: 23 MARCH 2015

SWS SPECIAL REPORT: 23 MARCH 2015

AGREE, SOMEWHAT AGREE, UNDECIDED IF AGREE OR DISAGREE, SOMEWHAT

SWS SPECIAL REPORT: 23 MARCH 2015

Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Report

Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Report

SWS SPECIAL REPORT: 23 MARCH 2015

Single May 2005

Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Report

Bal. Luzon Mar 2011

Visayas Mar 2011

Mindanao Mar 2011

Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Report

SWS SPECIAL REPORT: 23 MARCH 2015

Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Report

Men Mar 2011

Women Mar 2011

Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Report

SWS SPECIAL REPORT: 23 MARCH 2015

Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Report

Married Mar 2011

Married Mar 2011

Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Report

SWS SPECIAL REPORT: 23 MARCH 2015

Single Mar 2011

Single Mar 2011

Fourth Quarter 2014 Social Weather Report

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