Findings cover country‑specific adoption rates, reasons for sending funds, perceived transaction efficiency, security sentiments, and commonly reported transaction obstacles.

Based on a Dec 2023 to Mar 2024 survey of 44,000 remittance senders* and receivers across 20 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific, a global payments and financial services firm has released some findings regarding digital remittance behaviors and user experiences for the Asia Pacific region to the media.

First, digital applications were reported by respondents as the most popular channel for sending and receiving remittances in the Asia Pacific region (APAC), with usage rates highest in India (74% of senders / 76% of receivers), the Philippines (74% / 66%), and Singapore (70% / 75%). Japan respondents were part of a 10% increase in digital app usage (58% / 56%) compared to a similar survey in the previous year.

Second, over half of respondents in the Philippines (73% of senders / 73% of receivers), Australia (58% / 55%), Singapore (67% / 66%), and India (55% / 53%) had indicated that digital payments were the fastest way (for them) to access funds.

Other findings

Third, respondents in Australia (48% / 53%), Japan (37% / 41%), Singapore (36% / 37%), and Mainland China (38% / 31%) had reported experiencing no issues with sending or receiving digital remittance transfers. Those in Mainland China had showed a significant increase over 2024 of +13% / +8%. Also:

  • Reasons for sending or receiving remittances varied across countries.
    • “Contributing to accounts or investments” was cited by respondents in Mainland China (45% / 36%), Singapore (38% / 33%), and Japan (27% / 23%).
    • “Sending for humanitarian needs” was a key reason cited in Mainland China (45% / 33%), India (40%), Singapore (27%), and Australia (25%).
    • “Unexpected needs” as a reason for sending remittances were highest among respondents in India (44%), the Philippines (41%), and Australia (31%).
  • Roughly a third of respondents in the Philippines (39%), Mainland China (34%), and India (30%) had indicated receiving regular remittances.
  • Digital apps were viewed as the most secure remittance method by respondents representing APAC, with high security perception reported by respondents in India (50% / 53%), Australia (49% / 45%), and Singapore (44% / 42%).
  • Ease of use for digital remittances was noted by respondents in Singapore (51% / 51%), the Philippines (48% / 54%), Japan (47% / 42%), and Australia (42% / 40%).
  • Digital app fees were identified as a pain point, particularly among respondents in the Philippines (43% / 30%), India (36% / 33%), and Singapore (32% / 32%). Other hurdles mentioned:
    • High fees were another top challenge for physical remittances, especially in the Philippines (45% / 29%), India (41% / 37%), and Singapore (38% / 30%).
    • Physical remittance sending faced challenges of inconvenience and travel distances, with India (36%) and Mainland China (27%) respondents citing distance as a barrier.
    • Some respondents in Australia and Singapore (29%) had indicated physical remittance processes as inconvenient and time-consuming.
  • Confidence in the security of physical remittances was low across APAC respondents, with most of the countries taken to represent the region reporting 3% to 6% security perception, except Mainland China respondents, who had reported 10% to 12%.

According to Rhidoi Krishnakumar, Vice President, Head of Visa Direct (Asia Pacific), Visa, the firm releasing its remittance trends report: “Remittances have long been a lifeline across APAC, and they will continue to play a vital role in uplifting communities and livelihoods. At the same time, many small businesses are also beneficiary of remittances driving local growth in local economies.”

*The sample size for APAC is not disclosed in the full international survey report for the period Dec 2024 to Mar 2024. Other notable methodological details are not fully disclosed or clarified in the report or press release, including sampling method specifics, margin of error, respondent demographics within APAC, and question wording. These omissions limit the ability to fully assess potential biases or generalizability of the results.