A recent survey conducted by the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) showed that very few Filipinos participate in the stock market.
According to the survey, there were only 430,681 accounts being maintained for Filipino investors by PSE trading participants in 2007 – representing not even 1/2 of 1% of the 89 million population of the Philippines.
Of the total, only 103,412 or just a little over 1/10 of 1% of the population were considered active or involved in at least one trade in a year.
The figures are in stark contrast with that of other Southeast Asian nations.
Singapore has the highest proportion of its population — around 33% — with investments in the stock market. Japan and Australia both have roughly 25% each; while Malaysia has 18%; Hong Kong, 17%; and Korea, 10%.
As the Philippine stock market continues its decline, the disappointing numbers will certainly worsen as more Filipino investors flee the stock market looking for safer investment opportunities.
Now that a global recession seems imminent, will you remain to be in or do you choose to be out of the stock market?
