Filipinos continue to dominate the global digital landscape, ranking among the world’s most active and connected internet users, according to the Meltwater Digital 2026 Report.
The report revealed that 83.8 percent of Filipinos are online, slightly above the Southeast Asian average of 82.9 percent. With over 98 million internet users, the Philippines ranks 12th globally in terms of total number of connected individuals.
Filipinos also spend a remarkable amount of time consuming digital content—an average of 54 hours per week, second only to Kenya’s 63.5 hours. This extensive engagement spans from social media to video streaming and online shopping.
When it comes to generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, the Philippines ranked sixth worldwide, with 42.4 percent of internet users aged 16 and above reporting usage in the past month. This figure far exceeds the global average of 26.5 percent, indicating the country’s early adoption of emerging technologies.
Social media remains the centerpiece of Filipino digital life. The report showed that 82.2 percent of Filipinos use TikTok, while 85 percent are on YouTube, making the Philippines the top YouTube user country globally. On average, Filipinos spend over 20 hours each week watching online videos, ranking second in the world for video consumption.
E-commerce and content monetization are also flourishing. More than 56 percent of Filipinos make online purchases weekly, with most preferring digital over in-store shopping. Meanwhile, 67.1 percent pay for some form of digital content monthly, closely aligning with the global average.
The report also highlights how 41.9 percent of Filipinos discover new brands via social media, reflecting the deep integration of digital platforms into consumer behavior.
Globally, the Digital 2026 Report found that internet users have surpassed 6 billion, with 5.66 billion social media identities and over 1 billion people using generative AI tools monthly.
The findings underscore the Philippines’ strong digital engagement, youthful population, and openness to new technologies—factors that continue to shape how the nation consumes, communicates, and connects online.
