Philippines ranks 8th among world’s best countries for retirees in 2026

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 17, 2026

Photo courtesy: Discovery Boracay

Affordable living, relatively low housing costs and a long-stay retirement visa have helped put the Philippines among the world’s top retirement destinations in 2026.

The country ranked eighth out of 192 countries and territories in the retiree category of the Rumavi Global Relocation Index 2026, joining Malaysia and Thailand as the only Southeast Asian countries in the global top 10. Malaysia ranked first, while Thailand placed fourth.

The Philippines received a retiree score of 71.6 out of 100, with affordability emerging as one of its strongest advantages. Rumavi gave the country a 95.1 score for general affordability and 91 for housing affordability.

Those numbers matter for retirees looking to stretch pensions or retirement savings further, particularly when everyday expenses and housing can take up a significant share of a fixed income.

Rumavi’s retiree ranking places greater weight on factors such as healthcare quality, cost of living, climate comfort and the availability of realistic long-stay visa options. The 2026 index assessed 192 countries using 24 metrics across financial conditions, livability and health, safety and stability, and ease of settling abroad.

For the Philippines, one of those long-term residency options is the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa or SRRV, administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority.

The SRRV is a special non-immigrant visa for qualified foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens who want to reside long-term in the country. Among its benefits are multiple entry privileges and indefinite stay, as well as access to discounts and privileges from PRA-accredited merchant partners.

The latest recognition is not the Philippines’ only strong showing in an international retirement ranking this year.

In June, the country topped the Retirement Abroad Index 2026 by international insurance provider Expatriate Group, scoring 78 out of 100 and ranking first among 20 countries assessed. That index considered healthcare quality, visa accessibility, health insurance requirements, cost of living and expat community and integration.

The two rankings use different methodologies, but both point to affordability and retirement accessibility as major advantages for the Philippines.

Still, Rumavi’s assessment shows that choosing a retirement destination involves more than low costs. While the Philippines scored particularly well on affordability, its country profile recorded lower scores in areas such as climate risk and rule of law, factors prospective retirees may also weigh when deciding where to settle.

For retirees prioritizing lower living expenses and a pathway to long-term residence, however, the Philippines’ eighth-place finish adds another international recognition to its growing profile as a retirement destination.