The Philippines has claimed the top spot in the Expatriate Group's Retirement Abroad Index for 2026, scoring 78 out of 100 to surpass Thailand, Colombia, and other global havens.

The milestone caps a robust period for Philippine tourism, highlighted by domestic spending reaching P3.26 trillion in 2025 and sector employment climbing to 7.7 million, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The index evaluated countries across healthcare quality, visa accessibility, health insurance requirements, cost of living, and expat community integration, with the Philippines performing particularly well in affordability and visa pathways. Data shows a retired couple can live comfortably on 750 pounds to 1,000 pounds per month, roughly equivalent to $998 to $1,330.

Strong private healthcare and well-established expat communities across Manila, Cebu, and popular island destinations contribute to a seamless transition for newcomers.

As of June 2026, 86,292 foreign retirees from over 150 countries have made the Philippines their second home.

Active Special Resident Retiree's Visa holders number about 62,000, and the Philippine Retirement Authority is targeting 4,700 new applicants this year.

"Foreign retirees contribute to retail, hospitality, and tourism. The moment they settle in their chosen location, they travel all over the country," PRA President Roberto Zozobrado said.

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay called the ranking an affirmation of progress in creating a more welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable experience for travelers and retirees alike.

Official PSA figures showed domestic tourism expenditure rose 3 percent to 3.26 trillion pesos in 2025 from 3.16 trillion pesos the previous year. Inbound spending declined 6.4 percent to P698.46 billion from P745.99 billion in 2024, but foreign visitor arrivals still increased from 5.44 million to nearly 5.94 million.

Tourism direct gross value added edged down 1.4 percent to P2.27 trillion, while tourism employment grew 2.5 percent to 7.7 million.

As tourist traffic and the retiree population grow, the Bureau of Immigration is racing to modernize border systems.

The Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services proposed a P10.74 billion Public-Private Partnership to upgrade border control across 11 international airports, one major seaport, and six mobile border crossing stations.

The United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization-compliant project is an unsolicited proposal by Securiport LLC that deploys artificial intelligence-driven risk assessment tools, Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record data exchange, and biometric e-gates under a single platform.

Operating on a no-cost-to-government model funded by a $4 user fee built into international airline tickets, the project covers major gateways including Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Mactan-Cebu, Clark, and Davao.

The Bureau of Immigration stressed that modernizing infrastructure is vital to combating transnational crimes, human trafficking, and terrorism.

With foreign arrivals nearing six million and the industry employing over 7.7 million Filipinos, the initiative represents a critical investment to keep the nation's gates secure, efficient, and ready for future waves of travelers.