Timorese People Express Optimism Amid Persistent Challenges and Growing Expectations According to New National Survey 

Dili, Timor-Leste, June 26, 2025—A new national survey reveals that most Timorese people are optimistic about the future of their country while remaining concerned about persistent challenges with services and economic opportunities. The Asia Foundation released the ninth edition of Tatoli! A Survey of the Timorese People at a public seminar at the Timor-Leste Resistance Archive and Museum in Dili. The survey was launched by Vice Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Mariano Assanami Sabino, Counsellor for Governance and Economic Development at the Australian Embassy in Timor-Leste Fabia Shah, and The Asia Foundation’s Timor-Leste Country Representative Héctor Salazar Salame.  

“The Tatoli! survey is a tool for understanding the aspirations of the Timorese people—what matters most to them and their visions for their country’s future,” Héctor Salazar Salame said. “The survey findings can complement other forms of data, helping the government, development organizations, and civil society to design inclusive and responsive policies and programs.” 

Tatoli! 2025 interviewed 1,503 respondents across all 14 municipalities of Timor-Leste, providing results that are nationally representative within ±2.5 percent and capturing the voices of Timorese citizens on a wide range of pressing national and local issues. 

As a perceptions survey, Tatoli! captures views and opinions and does not necessarily describe objective conditions on the ground. Responses may sometimes trend more positively, as people may give answers they believe are more socially acceptable.  

The survey found that although 69 percent of Timorese people said the country was heading in the right direction, respondents remained concerned about essential services and economic opportunities. Respondents identified low incomes (53%), lack of infrastructure (36%), and lack of quality employment opportunities (27%) as the three biggest issues for the nation overall.  

Respondents were more positive about specific aspects of financial security than in previous years (such as their ability to save funds and pay for the things they need). At the same time, however, only 53 percent of respondents felt their household economic situation was “good” or “very good” in 2025 (the lowest result since the survey introduced this question in 2016). The survey also recorded lower satisfaction with several aspects of health and education services than in previous years, particularly among Dili-based respondents. These findings suggest that expectations for economic well-being and the delivery of public services are increasing. 

There is also evidence of citizens demonstrating growing concern for social inclusion for marginalized groups in the country. For example, a majority supported increased political and civic participation of women (85%), young people (90%), and people with disabilities (77%).  

In 2025, Tatoli! also included an in-depth special section on digitalization, providing a comprehensive snapshot of how Timorese people access and use the internet. This data provides an important baseline as the country prepares for rapid advances in digital connectivity, with a long-awaited fiber-optic cable expected to come online later this year.  

The survey showed that while 51 percent of Timorese people use the internet, considerable gaps in digital access, literacy, and skills remain, particularly in rural areas. For example, internet usage was higher among respondents aged 18 to 34 (69%, compared to 11% of respondents aged 55+), those living in urban areas (76%, compared to 40% of rural respondents), and those with higher incomes (87% among respondents with an income greater than USD 500 per month, compared to 40% of those with incomes less than USD 100 per month).  

The 2025 Tatoli! survey was conducted in partnership with 68 enumerators from 14 organizations from the Timor-Leste Research and Advocacy Network (TRAIN). The TRAIN organizations’ deep knowledge of local geography, strong community ties, and fluency in local languages have been essential to Tatoli!’s success since the first edition more than a decade ago. 

Data collection took place during the rainy season in February, which meant enumerators battled heavy rains, flooding, and difficult terrain, often navigating muddy roads and remote areas to reach respondents.  

Sandra Maria Nono, from Fundasaun Amizade Tamba Amor (FUNDAMOR) in Lautem, was one of the enumerators who took part in Tatoli! 2025. 

“As an enumerator, I felt very proud and happy to be part of the survey,” Sandra said. “This survey helped me learn more about the problems that communities face in their area. It’s interesting because we ask the same questions, but we get different opinions from different respondents. Although we encountered many challenges to enumeration, especially bad roads, mud, and rain, we remained committed.”  

The Asia Foundation has conducted the Tatoli! survey since 2013, collecting data on public perceptions regarding the main challenges faced at the national, community, and individual levels, economic well-being, government priorities and civic participation, delivery of public services and infrastructure, relationships with other countries, safety, security and justice, and use of the media and other information sources. 

The Tatoli! 2025 survey was conducted with support of the Australian Government’s Partnership for Inclusive Prosperity (Prosivu), implemented by DT Global. The Asia Foundation also collaborated with the Timor-Leste National Institute of Statistics to develop the sampling frame and ORIMA Research to conduct data analysis.  

Download the full Tatoli! 2025 findings here.

Members of the TRAIN network participating in Tatoli! 2025 were Forum Tau Matan (FTM), Maubisse Hametin Future (MAHARU), Centro Feto Haburas Dezenvolvimentu (CFHD), Hametin Asaun Dezenvolvimentu Edukasaun no Ekonomia Rural (HADEER), Centro Comunidade Covalima (CCC), Mata Dalan Institute (MDI), Matadalan Survey and Research Institute (M-SRI), Timor-Leste Coalition for Education (TLCE), Institutu Matadalan Integradu (IMI), Fundasaun Amizade Tanba Amor (FUNDAMOR), Fundasaun Moris Foun (FMF), Asosiasaun Feto ba Furutu (AFF), Asosiasaun Movimentu Kablaki Timor-Leste (AMKTL), Asosiasaun Futuru Foinsae ba Sustentabilidade (A-FFOS), and Knua Haberan Komunidade (KHC). 

For further inquiries please contact Tim Mann ([email protected]) Director of Program Development, Delivery and Research, The Asia Foundation – Timor-Leste.