Almost all of those on the internet in the Philippines are users of social media where they connect with friends and family, read the news, and watch video content. They have more than one mobile connection, and they stay online for nine hours daily.
The number of internet users in the Philippines at the start of 2023 is at 85.16 million, representing 73.1 percent of the total population. They are mostly (99.2 percent of internet users) on social media, connecting from their mobile devices (mobile connections at 144.5 percent of the total population). In terms of financial capability to transact online, only a small percentage have a bank account or credit card that would allow them to make choices and purchase what they want.
These data represent a profile of Filipinos on the internet. There are other details to be found in the Digital 2023 Global Overview Report of the DataReportal, produced in partnership with Meltwater and We Are Social. The Philippine report, released on February 9, 2023, may be accessed at Datareportal.com/reports/digital-2023-philippines.
It’s important to know this information not only for businesses as they operate more and more online but also for anyone who needs to communicate, reach out, learn, or have fun.
The report said those who go on the internet do so to find information, stay in touch with friends and family, research how to do things, find new ideas or inspiration, watch videos, television shows or movies, keep up-to-date with news and events, and for education and study-related purposes, among others.
Social media users number 84.45 million or 99.2 percent of the total internet users. Simply put, those who go online are almost all on social media. For those aged 16 to 64, their most used social media platforms are Facebook (95.7 percent), FB Messenger (92.1 percent), TikTok (77.2 percent), Instagram (71.9 percent), and Twitter (56.7 percent). Elon Musk will not have much impact in the Philippines but TikTok will.
On e-commerce, financial inclusion factors should be considered. Out of the Philippine population of 116.5 million, only 46 percent of those aged 15 and above own an account in a financial institution such as a bank. Only 8.1 percent own a credit card, but 29.8 percent have a debit card and 21.7 percent, a mobile money account such as Maya or GCash. Not very encouraging for those who want to start charging online, unless the payment mode is not solely on bank transfer or credit card. The other lesson here is to make the product or service attractive, relevant and worth buying.
By knowing the profile of internet users in the country and being able to understand what they do online, where they go, and if they transacted over the internet, we will be able to communicate better and perhaps enrich our connection with each other. Since relationships have been transformed by the internet, this can be reformed based on current data.