The Central Bank of the Philippines reported an overall balance of payments deficit of USD 4.1 billion in January 2025, widening from a USD 740 million deficit in January 2024. The shortfall reflected the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ net foreign exchange operations and national government drawdowns of foreign currency deposits with the central bank to meet external debt obligations, alongside a fall in final gross international reserves (GIR) to USD 103.3 billion at end-January 2025 from USD 106.3 billion at end-2024. At end-January, the GIR stock was equivalent to 7.3 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income, and about 3.7 times short-term external debt on a residual maturity basis, which includes outstanding external debt with original maturity of one year or less plus principal payments falling due within the next 12 months.
Central Bank of the Philippines 2025-02-19
Central Bank of the Philippines reports USD 4.1 billion January 2025 balance of payments deficit and reserves fall to USD 103.3 billion
The Central Bank of the Philippines reported a balance of payments deficit of USD 4.1 billion in January 2025, up from USD 740 million in January 2024. This was due to net foreign exchange operations and government drawdowns to meet external debt obligations, with gross international reserves falling to USD 103.3 billion. The reserves covered 7.3 months of imports and were 3.7 times the short-term external debt.