The Philippines is among the leading adopters of digital remittances in Asia Pacific (APAC), according to a new report from payments company Visa. The study showed that 74% of Filipinos send money digitally, while 66% receive funds through the same channels.
The report found that most Filipino respondents (73%) view digital payments as the fastest way to access funds. Around 45% also see digital platforms as a safe and private way to send and receive remittances.
“The Philippines accounts for more than 60% of total inbound remittance transactions in Asia Pacific, underscoring our robust position as a driver for regional remittance growth,” said Jeffrey Navarro, country manager for Visa Philippines.
Visa’s “Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report” drew responses from 44,000 senders and receivers in 20 countries and territories, including the Philippines. The study looked at remittance trends worldwide, with APAC highlighted as an important region in the $905 billion global remittance market.
The Philippines is traditionally a top inbound remittance destination, but the report noted that the country is also showing potential in outbound transactions, especially in business-to-business payments. A previous version of the study found that 70% of Filipino small and medium enterprises needed to procure goods and services from abroad, while 60% expressed interest in sending payments overseas.
For many Filipinos, remittances are linked to urgent needs, with 41% of respondents saying they send money for “unexpected needs.” The country also recorded the highest share in Asia Pacific of people receiving money regularly, at 39%.
Despite the rise of digital apps, fees remain a challenge. The survey showed that 43% of Filipinos sending money and 30% of those receiving funds cited app fees as a major concern. High costs were also flagged in physical remittances, with 45% of senders and 29% of receivers saying fees are too steep.
The report also noted strong adoption of digital apps among older Filipinos. All respondents aged 65 and above said they plan to send money digitally, compared to 72% of those aged 45-64, 75% of those aged 35-44, and 74% of those aged 18-34.
“The shift to digital remittances fosters greater financial inclusion, with more people and businesses able to access secure, regulated digital channels for managing and receiving money,” Navarro said.