A hugely overstated claim that 95% of people in the Philippines fear public speaking

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a one-minute TikTok video from March 19, 2025 by voice artist Richard Abalos with the following claim:

 

“Afraid of Public Speaking? Here’s the TRUTH. 95% of people fear speaking in front of an audience, but the 5% who can speak? They are likely to become better leaders and communicators in their respective field! Want to speak with confidence, own the stage, and turn every word into POWER? Join Toastmasters! We are a Public Speaking Organization where ordinary speakers become extraordinary leaders. Your voice DESERVES to be heard. Your story CAN change lives. Message us NOW to kickstart your public speaking. journey#PublicSpeaking#Toastmasters#LevelUp@ToastmastersPhillipines @Toastmasters International”

 

But, as shown above there are results for the Philippines from a 2010 Reader’s Digest Canada article. Just 18% of women and 15% of men feared speaking in public. I blogged about them in a post on April 9, 2012 titled Poll by Reader’s Digest Canada found fear of public speaking wasn’t ranked first in 15 of 16 countries.

 

Also, on December 1. 2024 I blogged about Does 95% of the population experience public speaking fear?