The United States reported the highest number of emigrants from the Philippines in 2023, with about ****** Filipinos choosing to live there permanently. In comparison, South Korea had *** Filipino emigrants that year.An emigrant is a person who has left their country to live permanently in another.

Abstract

The Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF) was conducted as a rider to the October 2008 Labor Force Survey (LFS).

The survey was designed to gather national estimates on the number of overseas workers, their socio economic characteristics and other information pertaining to the overseas workers who worked or have worked abroad from April to September 2008. The remittances of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in cash or in kind were also accounted for the specified reference period. The SOF data are useful inputs to government planners, migrant advocates, researchers, academes, concerned citizens, and other data users to the formulation of policies and programs for the welfare of the overseas Filipino.

Geographic coverage

The geographic coverage consists of the country's 17 administrative regions defined in Executive Order (EO) 36 and 131. The 17 regions are:

National Capital Region (NCR) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Region I - Ilocos Region Region II - Cagayan Valley Region III - Central Luzon Region IV-A - CALABARZON Region IV-B - MIMAROPA Region V - Bicol Region Region VI - Western Visayas Region VII - Central Visayas Region VIII - Eastern Visayas Region IX - Zamboanga Peninsula Region X - Northern Mindanao Region XI - Davao Region Region XII - SOCCSKSARGEN Caraga Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)

Analysis unit

Individuals

Universe

Overseas Filipinos whose departure occured within the last five years and who are working or had worked abroad during the past six months (April to September) of the survey period.

For purposes of this survey, overseas workers are the following:

Filipino overseas contract workers (OCW) who are presently and temporarily out of the country to fulfill an overseas work contract for a specific length of time or who are presently at home on vacation but still has an existing contract to work abroad. They may be landbased or seabased.

Landbased workers ? these are overseas contract workers who are hired either by direct hiring of an employer abroad; or through the assistance of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA); or through a private and licensed recruitment agency. They may have returned to the Philippines for a vacation (annual or emergency leave), or have transferred to other employers, or were rehired by their former employer.

Seabased workers ? these are overseas contract workers who worked or are working in any kind of international fishing/passenger/cargo vessels. Included also are OCWs who worked or are working for a shipping company abroad.

Other Filipino workers abroad with a valid working visa or work permits. Included also are crew members of airplanes such as pilots, stewards, stewardesses, etc. example: Filipinos working in countries such as U.S., Taiwan, Saipan, etc. with a working visa.

Filipinos abroad who are holders of other types of non-immigrant visa such as tourist/visitor, student, medical and others but are presently employed and working full time.

Persons not considered as overseas workers are:

Filipinos whose place of employment is outside the Philippines but whose employer is the Philippine government. Examples are Filipinos who worked or are working in Philippine embassies, missions and consulates abroad.

Filipinos who are sent abroad by the Philippine government or by private institutes for training, scholarship or any other similar purpose, even if they are known to be working abroad. Note that students who are sent abroad by private individual who are working or had worked there are excluded in this category.

Filipinos working in other countries who are hired as consultants/advisers of International organization such as the United Nations International Monetary Fund, etc.

Immigrants to other countries even though they are working abroad.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The Survey on Overseas Filipinos, as a rider to the Labor Force Survey (LFS), used the sampling design of the 2003 Master Sample (MS) for Household Surveys starting July 2003. The design of the Master Sample is described below:

1. Domain The 2003 MS considers the country's 17 administrative regions as its sampling domain. A domain is referred to as a subdivision of the country in which estimates with adequate level of precision is generated. It must be noted that while there is demand for data at the provincial level (and to some extent municipal and barangay levels), these were not treated as domain because of its large number (more than 80) and the large resource requirement it would entail.

2. Sampling Frame As in most household surveys, the 2003 MS made use of an area sample design. For this purpose, the Enumeration Area Reference File (EARF) of the 2000 Census of Population and Housing (CPH) was utilized as sampling frame. The EARF contains the number of households by enumeration area (EA) in each barangay.

This frame was used to form the primary sampling units (PSUs). With consideration of the period for which the 2003 MS will be in use, the PSUs were formed/defined as a barangay or a combination of barangays with at least 500 households.

1. Sample Size The 2003 MS consists of a sample of 2,835 PSUs of which 330 were certainty PSUs and 2,505 were non-certainty PSUs. The entire MS was divided into four sub-samples or independent replicates, such as a quarter sample contains one fourth of the PSUs found in one replicate; a half sample contains one-half of the PSUs in two replicates. The SOF as a rider to the LFS utilizes the full sample.

2. Stratification The 2003 MS considers the 17 regions of the country as the primary strata. Within each region, further stratification was performed using geographic groupings such as provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs), and independent component cities (ICCs). Within each of these substrata formed within regions, the PSUs were further stratified, to the extent possible, using the proportion of strong houses (PSTRONG), indicator of engagement in agriculture of the area (AGRI), and a measure of per capita income as stratification factors (PERCAPITA).

PSTRONG is defined to be the percentage of occupied housing units that are classified as made of strong materials in terms of both the roof and outer walls, based on the data from the 2000 CPH. A roof is considered made of strong material if it is made of either galvanized iron, aluminum, concrete/clay tile, half galvanized-half concrete, or asbestos. The outer wall is considered made of strong material if it is made of concrete, brick, stone, wood, half concrete-half wood, galvanized iron, asbestos or glass.

AGRI was determined in the following way: initially, an indicator variable was computed at the barangay level. That variable has the value 1 if more than 50 percent of the households in the barangay were engaged in agriculture or fisheries and 0 otherwise, based on the 2000 CPH Barangay Schedule. To obtain a measure at the PSU level, a weighted average of the barangay indicator variable was computed for all the barangays within the PSU, weighted by the total number of households in the barangay. Thus, the value of AGRI at the PSU level lies between 0 and 1.

PERCAPITA is defined as the total income of the municipality divided by the total population in that municipality. Note that the PERCAPITA value of the PSUs is the same if the PSUs are in the same municipality. The data on municipal income refer to year 2000 and were taken from the Department of Finance. However, if the 2000 municipal income was not reported to the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), 2001 income was used. If no 2000 or 2001 municipal income was reported, the income classification from the BLGF for this municipality was obtained. Using the data on income, which are presented in income intervals, the average of the lower and the upper values of the income interval for the municipal class to which this municipality belongs were determined.

1. Sample Selection

The 2003 MS consists of a sample of 2,835 PSUs. The entire MS was divided into four sub-samples or independent replicates, such as a quarter sample contains one fourth of the total PSUs; a half sample contains one-half of the four subsamples or equivalent to all PSUs in two replicates.

The final number of sample PSUs for each domain was determined by first classifying PSUs as either self-representing (SR) or non-self-representing (NSR). In addition, to facilitate the selection of subsamples, the total number of NSR PSUs in each region was adjusted to make it a multiple of 4.

SR PSUs refers to a very large PSU in the region/domain with a selection probability of approximately 1 or higher and is outright included in the MS; it is properly treated as a stratum; also known as certainty PSU. NSR PSUs refers to a regular too small sized PSU in a region/domain; also known as non certainty PSU. The 2003 MS consists of 330 certainty PSUs and 2,505 non-certainty PSUs.

To have some control over the sub-sample size, the PSUs were selected with probability proportional to some estimated measure of size. The size measure refers to the total number of households from the 2000 CPH. Because of the wide variation in PSU sizes, PSUs with selection probabilities greater than 1 were identified and were included in the sample as certainty selections.

At the second stage, enumeration areas (EAs) were selected within sampled PSUs, and at the third stage, housing units were selected within sampled EAs. Generally, all households in sampled housing units were enumerated, except for few cases when the number of households in a housing unit exceeds three. In which case, a sample of three households in a sampled housing unit was selected at random with equal

Filipino Restaurant Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global Filipino restaurant market size reached USD 3.8 billion in 2024, demonstrating robust expansion as Filipino cuisine continues to gain international acclaim. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2025 to 2033, with the total market size expected to reach USD 7.19 billion by 2033. This growth is driven by rising consumer interest in diverse and authentic culinary experiences, the globalization of food culture, and the increasing diaspora of Filipinos worldwide, which has fostered greater awareness and appreciation for Filipino culinary traditions.

One of the primary growth factors for the Filipino restaurant market is the increasing global demand for ethnic and authentic food experiences. As consumers become more adventurous and open to exploring new tastes, Filipino cuisine—with its unique blend of Spanish, Chinese, American, and indigenous influences—has carved out a distinctive niche in the global food scene. Social media platforms and food influencers have played a pivotal role in popularizing dishes such as adobo, sinigang, lechon, and halo-halo, thereby driving curiosity and footfall to Filipino restaurants. Additionally, the growing number of Filipino expatriates and overseas workers has led to a proliferation of Filipino restaurants in key international cities, further fueling market expansion.

Another significant driver is the trend toward fusion and innovation within the Filipino restaurant market. Chefs and restaurateurs are increasingly experimenting with traditional recipes, incorporating contemporary techniques and global ingredients to appeal to a broader customer base. This has resulted in the emergence of fusion concepts and modern Filipino dining establishments that cater to both traditionalists and younger, cosmopolitan diners. The rise of food delivery platforms and cloud kitchens has also made Filipino cuisine more accessible, enabling restaurants to reach customers beyond their immediate geographic locations and adapt to changing consumer preferences for convenience and contactless service.

The Filipino restaurant market is also benefiting from strategic investments and partnerships within the food and beverage industry. Major players are expanding their footprints through franchising, joint ventures, and collaborations with international food chains. This has led to increased standardization, improved quality control, and enhanced brand visibility. Governments and tourism boards in the Philippines and abroad are actively promoting Filipino gastronomy as part of cultural and culinary tourism initiatives, further boosting the market’s profile. These efforts, combined with rising disposable incomes and urbanization in emerging markets, are expected to sustain long-term growth in the sector.

Regionally, the Asia Pacific region remains the largest and most dynamic market for Filipino restaurants, accounting for over 54% of the global market share in 2024. This is largely due to the high concentration of Filipino populations in countries such as the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. North America follows closely, driven by a significant Filipino diaspora in the United States and Canada, where Filipino cuisine is increasingly featured in mainstream dining and food festivals. Europe and the Middle East are also witnessing steady growth, supported by rising tourism and expatriate communities. Each region presents unique opportunities and challenges, shaped by local tastes, regulatory environments, and competitive landscapes.

Type Analysis

The Filipino restaurant market can be segmented by type into casual dining, fine dining, quick service restaurants (QSR), food trucks, and others. Casual dining establishments account for the largest share of the market, as they offer a comfortable and affordable way for customers to experience a wide range of Filipino dishes. These restaurants are popular among families, groups, and yo

Abstract

The 2022 Philippines National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) was implemented by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Data collection took place from May 2 to June 22, 2022.

The primary objective of the 2022 NDHS is to provide up-to-date estimates of basic demographic and health indicators. Specifically, the NDHS collected information on fertility, fertility preferences, family planning practices, childhood mortality, maternal and child health, nutrition, knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS, violence against women, child discipline, early childhood development, and other health issues.

The information collected through the NDHS is intended to assist policymakers and program managers in designing and evaluating programs and strategies for improving the health of the country’s population. The 2022 NDHS also provides indicators anchored to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the new Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

• Household
• Individual
• Children age 0-5
• Woman age 15-49

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents), all women aged 15-49, and all children aged 0-4 resident in the household.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sampling scheme provides data representative of the country as a whole, for urban and rural areas separately, and for each of the country’s administrative regions. The sample selection methodology for the 2022 NDHS was based on a two-stage stratified sample design using the Master Sample Frame (MSF) designed and compiled by the PSA. The MSF was constructed based on the listing of households from the 2010 Census of Population and Housing and updated based on the listing of households from the 2015 Census of Population. The first stage involved a systematic selection of 1,247 primary sampling units (PSUs) distributed by province or HUC. A PSU can be a barangay, a portion of a large barangay, or two or more adjacent small barangays.

In the second stage, an equal take of either 22 or 29 sample housing units were selected from each sampled PSU using systematic random sampling. In situations where a housing unit contained one to three households, all households were interviewed. In the rare situation where a housing unit contained more than three households, no more than three households were interviewed. The survey interviewers were instructed to interview only the preselected housing units. No replacements and no changes of the preselected housing units were allowed in the implementing stage in order to prevent bias. Survey weights were calculated, added to the data file, and applied so that weighted results are representative estimates of indicators at the regional and national levels.

All women age 15–49 who were either usual residents of the selected households or visitors who stayed in the households the night before the survey were eligible to be interviewed. Among women eligible for an individual interview, one woman per household was selected for a module on women’s safety.

For further details on sample design, see APPENDIX A of the final report.

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]

Research instrument

Two questionnaires were used for the 2022 NDHS: the Household Questionnaire and the Woman’s Questionnaire. The questionnaires, based on The DHS Program’s model questionnaires, were adapted to reflect the population and health issues relevant to the Philippines. Input was solicited from various stakeholders representing government agencies, academe, and international agencies. The survey protocol was reviewed by the ICF Institutional Review Board.

After all questionnaires were finalized in English, they were translated into six major languages: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Bikol, Hiligaynon, and Waray. The Household and Woman’s Questionnaires were programmed into tablet computers to allow for computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) for data collection purposes, with the capability to choose any of the languages for each questionnaire.

Cleaning operations

Processing the 2022 NDHS data began almost as soon as fieldwork started, and data security procedures were in place in accordance with confidentiality of information as provided by Philippine laws. As data collection was completed in each PSU or cluster, all electronic data files were transferred securely via SyncCloud to a server maintained by the PSA Central Office in Quezon City. These data files were registered and checked for inconsistencies, incompleteness, and outliers. The field teams were alerted to any inconsistencies and errors while still in the area of assignment. Timely generation of field check tables allowed for effective monitoring of fieldwork, including tracking questionnaire completion rates. Only the field teams, project managers, and NDHS supervisors in the provincial, regional, and central offices were given access to the CAPI system and the SyncCloud server.

A team of secondary editors in the PSA Central Office carried out secondary editing, which involved resolving inconsistencies and recoding “other” responses; the former was conducted during data collection, and the latter was conducted following the completion of the fieldwork. Data editing was performed using the CSPro software package. The secondary editing of the data was completed in August 2022. The final cleaning of the data set was carried out by data processing specialists from The DHS Program in September 2022.

Response rate

A total of 35,470 households were selected for the 2022 NDHS sample, of which 30,621 were found to be occupied. Of the occupied households, 30,372 were successfully interviewed, yielding a response rate of 99%. In the interviewed households, 28,379 women age 15–49 were identified as eligible for individual interviews. Interviews were completed with 27,821 women, yielding a response rate of 98%.

Sampling error estimates

The estimates from a sample survey are affected by two types of errors: (1) nonsampling errors and (2) sampling errors. Nonsampling errors are the results of mistakes made in implementing data collection and in data processing, such as failure to locate and interview the correct household, misunderstanding of the questions on the part of either the interviewer or the respondent, and data entry errors. Although numerous efforts were made during the implementation of the 2022 Philippines National Demographic and Health Survey (2022 NDHS) to minimize this type of error, nonsampling errors are impossible to avoid and difficult to evaluate statistically.

Sampling errors, on the other hand, can be evaluated statistically. The sample of respondents selected in the 2022 NDHS is only one of many samples that could have been selected from the same population, using the same design and identical size. Each of these samples would yield results that differ somewhat from the results of the actual sample selected. Sampling errors are a measure of the variability between all possible samples. Although the degree of variability is not known exactly, it can be estimated from the survey results.

A sampling error is usually measured in terms of the standard error for a particular statistic (mean, percentage, etc.), which is the square root of the variance. The standard error can be used to calculate confidence intervals within which the true value for the population can reasonably be assumed to fall. For example, for any given statistic calculated from a sample survey, the value of that statistic will fall within a range of plus or minus two times the standard error of that statistic in 95% of all possible samples of identical size and design.

If the sample of respondents had been selected as a simple random sample, it would have been possible to use straightforward formulas for calculating sampling errors. However, the 2022 NDHS sample was the result of a multistage stratified design, and, consequently, it was necessary to use more complex formulas. Sampling errors are computed in SAS using programs developed by ICF. These programs use the Taylor linearization method to estimate variances for survey estimates that are means, proportions, or ratios. The Jackknife repeated replication method is used for variance estimation of more complex statistics such as fertility and mortality rates.

A more detailed description of estimates of sampling errors are presented in APPENDIX B of the survey report.

Data appraisal

Data Quality Tables

• Household age distribution
• Age distribution of eligible and interviewed women
• Age displacement at age 14/15
• Age displacement at age 49/50
• Pregnancy outcomes by years preceding the survey
• Completeness of reporting
• Observation of handwashing facility
• School attendance by single year of age
• Vaccination cards photographed
• Population pyramid
• Five-year mortality rates

See details of the data quality tables in Appendix C of the final report.

Abstract

The World Values Survey (www.worldvaluessurvey.org) is a global network of social scientists studying changing values and their impact on social and political life, led by an international team of scholars, with the WVS association and secretariat headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

The survey, which started in 1981, seeks to use the most rigorous, high-quality research designs in each country. The WVS consists of nationally representative surveys conducted in almost 100 countries which contain almost 90 percent of the world’s population, using a common questionnaire. The WVS is the largest non-commercial, cross-national, time series investigation of human beliefs and values ever executed, currently including interviews with almost 400,000 respondents. Moreover the WVS is the only academic study covering the full range of global variations, from very poor to very rich countries, in all of the world’s major cultural zones.

The WVS seeks to help scientists and policy makers understand changes in the beliefs, values and motivations of people throughout the world. Thousands of political scientists, sociologists, social psychologists, anthropologists and economists have used these data to analyze such topics as economic development, democratization, religion, gender equality, social capital, and subjective well-being. These data have also been widely used by government officials, journalists and students, and groups at the World Bank have analyzed the linkages between cultural factors and economic development.

Geographic coverage

National.

Analysis unit

Household Individual

Universe

National Population, both sexes,18 and more years.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Sample size: 1200

The sampling methodology is dwelling-based. Thus, the homeless, the institutional residents - those residing in military barracks, convents, prisons, dormitories, evacuation/refugee centers or any other temporary dwellings such as those built inside school campuses, church compounds during disasters and those residing atop commercial buildings, are excluded from the frame.

The selection method that was used to identify a respondent was random walk procedure. 50% males and 50% females were used as quota controls by alternating between male and female respondents. Substitution was permitted if even after the required valid callbacks the respondent was not available; it was not giving accurate answers because bedridden; nobody was at home; a respondent outrightly refuses to be interviewed; respondent refuses to continue with the interview.

Geographical stratification was: The WVS covered the entire Philippines and had four major study areas: National Capital Region (NCR), Balance Luzon (outside NCR), Visayas and Mindanao. There are usually limitations for the remote rural sample. The sample area was substituted if upon arrival in the sample spot the field interviewers realize that covering there were: - Not meeting the survey schedule because, for example, there were no means of transportation in locating the respondents with allotted schedule. - Security risks for field interviewers (presence of rebels, bandits, hostile ethnic minorities) - Spending too much for transportation (i.e unreasonably beyond the budgetted amount) Rural samples were generally within the center of the village as the starting points were situated near the center.

Remarks about sampling: - Final numbers of clusters or sampling points: 240 - Sample unit from office sampling: Electoral precincts (for urban areas) and barangays or villages (for rural areas)

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The WVS questionnaire was translated from the English questionnaire. The translated questionnaire was back-translated into English and the translated questionnaire was also pre-tested. The 2001 WVS questionnaire was translated into 5 major Philippine languages. The Filipino version, which became the definitive version was first translated (from English) by a senior staff member of SWS. The final version was decided on by SWS staff members after pre-testing on 12 adults. The 4 other translations which used Filipino as basis and sometimes the English version were made by other non-SWS senior field staff members and were no longer reviewed by SWS. There have been some optional questions to the WVS: V181a-c. There have been some country-specific questions included asked at the end of the WVS demographics. The sample was designed to be representative of the entire adult population, i.e. 18 years and older, of your country. The lower age cut-off for the sample was 18 and there was not any upper age cut-off for the sample.

Response rate

For the WVS, 37% are original respondents; the rest are substitutes.

Sampling error estimates

Estimated error: 2.9

As of the third quarter of 2024, internet users in the Philippines spent an average of **** hours accessing the internet on various devices, according to a global survey. In terms of devices, most Filipinos have used their mobile phones to surf the web. Internet usage of Filipinos Being the population with the most time spent using the internet in the region, Filipino internet users have been taking advantage of the ease of communication and access to information and entertainment that the internet offers. Aside from just browsing the web, accessing social media has been popular among a large share of the Filipino population. As of the third quarter of 2023, Meta platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, along with TikTok, were the most used social media platforms in the country. These platforms were used to connect with friends and family, and to access news and information, stream video content, and find products and services to purchase. Level of internet security in the Philippines Since most activities have been digitalized, cybersecurity threats and online fraud have been a growing concern among internet users. In the Philippines, over ** million web threats have been detected in 2022. Among those who shop on social media, product fraud was identified as the most common fraud type, along with non-delivery of products or services and payment fraud. To address this, the national government amended its cybersecurity laws to ensure better security of internet users in the Philippines.

A survey conducted in February 2020 in the Philippines on the government’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak found that most of the Filipinos surveyed believed that the government had acted appropriately to handle the outbreak. In the course of the virus spreading all over the country, the government has educated the population about the importance of sanitation and set up emergency funds for low-income households.  Filipinos’ response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
As the pandemic was set to affect many Filipinos, a large share of the population heeded the government’s suggested precautionary measures. In a recent survey, most people in the Philippines frequently wore a face mask when going out of the house, washed their hands frequently, and kept physical distancing. In addition to these mandatory measures, a majority of Filipinos used face shields when using public transportation and going to public establishments. 

 Government aid for low-income households   While there have been plans for the country's economic expansion, the pandemic has halted the Philippines' economic growth, and people's jobs have been affected. In response to the anticipated effects, the government had provided an emergency aid package for low-income families in different regions of the Philippines. For every low-income household in the National Capital Region (NCR), eight thousand Philippine pesos were given.

Preliminary figures for 2024 indicated that ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in the Philippines. The number of people who died from this illness was estimated at 129.000. Following this, cancer resulted in the deaths of about 74,000 people. Eating habits Heart diseases have been linked to high meat consumption, among others. In the Philippines, pork has been the most consumed meat type, followed closely by chicken. While pork meat is typically produced domestically, the country also imports pork to supplement its supply. However, plant-based food has started gaining popularity among Filipinos. In fact, a 2024 survey revealed that 69 percent of surveyed Filipinos consumed plant-based products, including meat alternatives. Common diseases in the Philippines Aside from heart and cerebrovascular diseases, the Filipino population is also exposed to infections, diabetes, skin diseases, and illnesses resulting from high meat consumption. In 2020, over 700,000 Filipinos contracted acute respiratory tract infections, followed by over 400,000 diagnosed with hypertension. In areas with high exposure to rain, dengue infections and leptospirosis have also become prevalent.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. was the leading real estate developer in the Philippines regarding net income in 2022. That year, the company reported a net income of approximately ** billion Philippine pesos. Its closest competitor, Ayala Land, generated a net income of about **** billion Philippine pesos in the same year. SM Prime Holdings – more information SM Prime Holdings is a property developer who primarily builds and manages shopping malls in the country and abroad. In 2022, malls accounted for about **** of the company’s total revenue. As of the first quarter of 2023, SM Prime owns and operates 82 malls in the country and seven in China. Its largest mall – SM Mall of Asia, is one of the largest nationwide, with over 600 shops. Aside from malls, the company also started venturing into the real estate segment and has been providing mid-rise buildings and single detached houses in multiple essential areas, such as cities in Metro Manila, Tagaytay, Cavite, Iloilo, and Davao. SM Prime also owns and operates convention centers and hotels. The state of property development in the Philippines Real estate in the Philippines has undergone massive development in the past decade. The industry has grown significantly thanks to foreign investment growth, a growing middle-class population, and sustained remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), especially after the economic recovery post-COVID. Property developers are expected to maximize the increasing demand for property supply as multiple opportunities for real estate segments arise.

There were approximately ***** million registered voters in the Philippines for the national and local elections held on May 9, 2022. That was **** million more voters compared to the general election held in 2019.

Due to the geographical context of the Philippines, the country is vulnerable to numerous natural disasters ranging from earthquakes, tropical cyclones, and flooding. As of June 2025, earthquakes in the country have 9.7 out of 10 risk index points, while tsunamis had 9.4 risk index points. Disasters in the Philippines Besides earthquakes, volcanic eruptions within the “Ring of Fire,” coupled with coastal hazards such as typhoons, flooding, and rising sea levels, constantly threaten the population with over 100 million inhabitants. In 2022, about 25 million Philippine pesos worth of damage was caused by tropical cyclones, regularly. Fatalities The fatalities caused by natural disasters in the Philippines, however, have been on the decline since, having peaked in 2013 due to typhoon Haiyan. The death toll in 2016 was much lower, with 70 deaths due to natural disasters recorded. Meanwhile, the government’s risk reduction expenditure gradually increased since 2015, with the highest spending recorded in 2021.

As of 2025, Facebook was the most downloaded social application in the Philippines, averaging ** billion downloads from the Google Play Store. This was followed by Instagram, with half as many downloads. Both Facebook and Instagram are owned by Meta, along with the messaging application Facebook Messenger. Facebook's popularity in the Philippines  The number of Facebook users in the Philippines has been gradually increasing over the years, with the platform’s popularity apparent across generations. Facebook is used more than just as a networking site; it is leveraged by businesses and news outlets to reach out to the country’s growing internet population. A 2025 survey on digital news in the Philippines revealed that among the social networking platforms, Facebook was the most trusted news source. Challenges in cybersecurity As more transactions become digital, the risk of falling prey to cybercrime also increases. In 2023, about ****** online scam incidents were recorded in the Philippines, which represents a significant increase from just *** in 2019. To address this, the Philippine government passed the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which penalizes illegal acts done online such as identity theft, child pornography, and cybersex.

Concerning the three selected segments, the segment digital payments has the largest penetration rate with 11.99 percent. Contrastingly, mobile POS payments are ranked last, with 9.59 percent. Find other insights concerning similar markets and segments, such as a ranking of subsegments in Brazil regarding number of users in the segment Digital Payments and a ranking of subsegments in the Philippines regarding number of users in the segment Digital Payments.The Statista Market Insights cover a broad range of additional markets.

A 2022 survey revealed that more than **** of the households surveyed in the Philippines own the house and lot that they occupy. Meanwhile, less than *** percent live in a house rent-free without the consent of the owner of the lot. Characteristics of housing  According to the 2020 census, there were **** million houses in the Philippines, and most of them were in Region IV-A and the National Capital Region (NCR). This was perhaps unsurprising considering that these regions also have the highest population figures nationwide. Among the households occupying residential units, about ** percent were living in a single house, while *** percent occupied a condominium or a condotel, as reflected by a 2022 survey. The same survey also revealed that ** percent of households live in a house with a floor area between 10 and 29 square meters. Financing homeownership and renovations  There are several home financing options available in the Philippines, but the most common options are through banks or the Pag-IBIG housing loan. Home loans can be taken out to purchase residential units or properties, or for construction, renovations, and refinancing. In 2022, banks in the Philippines financed residential real estate loans amounting to *** trillion Philippine pesos. Nearly **** of residential property loans granted were for the purchase of single-detached and/or attached houses in the country. Meanwhile, the Pag-IBIG Fund – a government agency responsible for affordable shelter financing, released about *** billion Philippine pesos in home loans for its members in the same year.