The number of people in the Philippines choosing to get life insurance significantly increased between 2016 and 2023. From merely 11 million in 2016, this figure has reached close to 33 million in 2023. Despite this, the penetration rate of the insurance industry in the country remained lower than the global average. Life insurance in the Philippines The ratio of the total insurance premiums to the population, or insurance density, was several times higher for life insurance than for non-life insurance in the Philippines. Individuals are more likely to get a life insurance policy as it provides financial protection to the family or beneficiaries of the insured in comparison to non-life insurance. There are two types of life insurance available - traditional and variable. Traditional life insurance focuses more on death or living benefits, whereas variable insurance policies are investment-linked insurance of a broader nature. As of 2023, traditional life insurance companies in the Philippines earned premium income amounting to approximately 105.2 billion Philippine pesos, which was significantly higher compared to 2016. In the same year, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) and Pru Life Insurance Corporation (UK) were the two leading life insurance companies in the Philippines. Challenges to insurance penetration The Philippine economy has been poised for growth in recent years, with its middle-class population characterized by rising disposable incomes. However, this has not made significant contributions to the insurance industry in the Philippines, which remains to have one of the lowest penetration rates globally. Among the possible reasons for this have been low awareness and the affordability of insurance plans, especially among low-income households.