The Central Bank of the Philippines published data showing the Philippines’ balance of payments (BOP) shifted to a USD 2.0 billion deficit in March 2025, from a USD 1.2 billion surplus in March 2024. The March result brought the cumulative BOP position to a USD 3.0 billion deficit, reversing the USD 238 million surplus recorded in January to March 2024. The March deficit reflected the national government’s drawdowns on its foreign currency deposits with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to meet external debt obligations and the central bank’s net foreign exchange operations. Based on preliminary data, the year-to-date deficit mainly reflected a wider trade in goods deficit, partly offset by continued net inflows from personal remittances, foreign direct investments, and national government foreign borrowings. The BOP position mirrored a decline in gross international reserves (GIR) to USD 106.7 billion as of end-March 2025 (from USD 107.4 billion end-February 2025), equivalent to 7.4 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income and around 3.6 times short-term external debt on a residual maturity basis.
Central Bank of the Philippines 2025-04-21
Central Bank of the Philippines reports a USD 2.0 billion March 2025 balance of payments deficit and GIR at USD 106.7 billion
The Central Bank of the Philippines reported a shift to a USD 2.0 billion BOP deficit in March 2025, from a USD 1.2 billion surplus in March 2024, resulting in a cumulative USD 3.0 billion deficit for the year. This was driven by the national government's foreign currency drawdowns and the central bank's foreign exchange operations, amid a wider trade in goods deficit. Gross international reserves declined to USD 106.7 billion, covering 7.4 months of imports and 3.6 times short-term external debt.