Cash sent home by overseas Filipinos reached a new record in 2025, providing a steady lift to the Philippine economy and to millions of households that depend on support from family members abroad.
Data show that cash remittances from overseas Filipinos rose to US$3.52 billion in December 2025, bringing the full-year total to an all-time high of US$35.63 billion. This was 3.3 percent higher than the US$34.49 billion recorded in 2024.
For the year, these cash remittances were equal to 7.3 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 6.4 percent of gross national income (GNI)—a sign of how important money from abroad remains to the overall economy.
When including other transfers such as goods and money sent through informal channels, total personal remittances climbed to US$3.89 billion in December 2025. For the full year, personal remittances reached a record US$39.62 billion, up 3.3 percent from US$38.34 billion in 2024.
The United States remained the largest source of remittances, followed by Singapore and Saudi Arabia. However, experts note that the U.S. often appears as the top source because many remittances are routed through U.S.-based banks and money transfer centers, even if the money originally came from other countries.
For economic planners and monetary authorities, rising remittances provide a stable source of foreign exchange. This helps support the peso, strengthens the country’s external payments position, and gives policymakers more flexibility in managing inflation and interest rates.
For ordinary Filipinos, the impact is more personal and immediate. Remittances help families pay for food, tuition, housing, healthcare, and small businesses. The steady increase in inflows in 2025 suggests that many households continue to rely on relatives working abroad to cope with rising living costs.
The record figures highlight the continuing role of overseas Filipinos not only in supporting their families, but also in sustaining the broader Philippine economy.
