MANILA, PHILIPPINES (October 18, 2025)— The Philippines’ pension system remains among the world’s weakest, ranking third lowest globally in the 2025 Global Pension Index by the Mercer CFA Institute. The country received a “D” grade, placing it alongside nations such as India, Argentina, and Turkey.
A “D” grade indicates that while the pension system has some positive features, it also contains significant weaknesses that need to be addressed.
The report noted a slight improvement in the Philippines’ overall index score, rising from 45.8 in 2024 to 47.1 in 2025, but this remains well below the global average of 64.5. Out of 52 retirement income systems evaluated, only two countries scored lower than the Philippines.
In contrast, the Netherlands earned the top spot with a score of 85.4, achieving an “A” grade, alongside Iceland, Denmark, and Singapore.
The Global Pension Index evaluates national retirement systems based on adequacy, sustainability, and integrity, providing a benchmark for governments and policymakers to improve retirement outcomes for citizens.