Security tops Pinoys’ savings goals – survey

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December 7, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos’ reasons for saving money continue to evolve across different life stages, with financial security, home ownership, education and travel emerging as the top goals, according to a survey conducted by Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co.

Based on the survey, the bank found that 21 percent of 1,200 respondents save mainly to build an emergency fund or prepare for future needs.

Other key motivations include buying or improving a home, which accounts for 16 percent of responses, and leisure activities such as travel, concerts, or hobbies, cited by 14 percent.

Savings goals vary across locations. In Metro Manila, financial stability is the top concern at 23 percent, followed by home-related expenses at 19 percent and travel or leisure at 17 percent.

Outside the capital, education emerges as the biggest priority. Approximately 20 percent of respondents in the regions save for tuition or other school-related expenses for themselves or their family members.

Metrobank noted that these differences reflect both access and opportunity, stating that Metro Manila residents generally earn more and have wider access to schools and financial services, while those in other regions view education as a path toward better prospects.

Age also plays a significant role in shaping savings behavior. Among young adults aged 18 to 24, financial security remains the top motivator for them. Personal purchases, such as gadgets or clothes, follow at 21 percent, while education-related expenses account for 18 percent. For young Filipinos outside Metro Manila, about one in four save specifically for schooling.

Working adults aged 25 to 44 tend to prioritize home ownership and financial stability, with both goals cited by 23 percent of respondents. Travel and leisure remain a factor for 18 percent of this age group.

Among middle-aged Filipinos aged 45 to 64, priorities shift toward long-term planning and family needs. About 23 percent save for retirement, 20 percent for children’s education and future expenses and 14 percent for travel or leisure.

Metrobank noted that these trends indicate a nationwide pattern in which older savers prioritize stability and family welfare.