Economy of the Philippines


The economy of the Philippines is an emerging market, and considered as a newly industrialized country in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2025, the Philippine economy is estimated to be at ₱28.50 trillion, making it the world's List of countries by [GDP (nominal)|32nd largest by nominal GDP] and 9th largest in Asia according to the International Monetary Fund.
The Philippine economy is a service-oriented economy, with relatively more modest contributions from the manufacturing and agriculture sectors. It has experienced significant economic growth and transformation in the past, posting one of the highest GDP growth rates in Asia. With an average annual growth rate of around 6 percent since 2010, the country has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. The Philippines is a founding member of the United Nations, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, East Asia Summit and the World Trade Organization. The Asian Development Bank is headquartered in the Ortigas Center located in the city of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.
The country's primary exports include semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, chemical products, copper, nickel, abaca, coconut oil, and fruits. Its major trading partners include Japan, China, the United States, Singapore, South Korea, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Germany, Taiwan, and Thailand.
In 2017, the Philippine economy was projected to become the 9th largest in Asia and 19th largest in the world by 2050. By 2035, the Filipino economy is predicted to be the 22nd largest in the world.
The Philippines has been named as one of the Tiger Cub Economies, alongside Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. However, major problems remain, mainly related to alleviating the wide income and growth disparities between the country's different regions and socioeconomic classes, reducing corruption, and investing in the infrastructure necessary to ensure future growth.
In 2024, the World Economic Forum chief Børge Brende said that "there is a real opportunity for this country to become a $2-trillion economy."
The Philippines exhibits one of the highest economic densities in Southeast Asia, characterized by a high concentration of economic output relative to its land area. As of 2024–2025, the Philippines ranks third among ASEAN nations in GDP Density, trailing only the city-state of Singapore and the resource-rich sultanate of Brunei. This is so, because there is such large economic activity that is happening on such low amount of land area that's scattered amongst a fragmented archipelagic geography. This is expressed in the concept called GDP Density.
In 2025, the Philippines enacted Republic Act No. 12252, amending the Investors’ Lease Act to allow foreign investors to lease private land for up to 99 years, up from the previous limit of 75 years. This reform aims to enhance the country's competitiveness in attracting long-term foreign direct investment by offering greater leasehold security for commercial and industrial projects. Also in 2025, a project called the "Luzon Economic Corridor" is on the works, which will further develop the Philippine economy.

Overview

The Philippine economy has been growing steadily over decades and the International Monetary Fund in 2014 reported it as the 39th largest economy in the world. The Philippines posted a high GDP growth rate of 7.6 percent in 2022. However, the country is not a part of the Group of 20 nations; instead, it is grouped in a second tier for emerging markets or newly industrialized countries.
Notes for economic growth :
1980-82: Slower economic growth due to mismanagement
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1983-86: Recession due to factors like corruption
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1987-90: Recovery from 1984 crisis
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1991-1992: Inflation and natural disasters caused slower growth
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1993-97: Fast growth
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1998: Minor recession due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis
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1999-2001: Recovery
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2002: Recession due to the EDSA II Protest
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1999-2001: Recovery
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2002-2008: Post-EDSA II recovery
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2009: Effects of the Great Recession
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2010-2019: Philippines as a Tiger Economy
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2020: Coronavirus Outbreak
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2021-2023: Rebound
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A chart below outlines selected statistics showing trends in the gross domestic product of the Philippines using data taken from the International Monetary Fund.

Composition by sector

As a newly industrialized country, the Philippines is still an economy with a large agricultural sector; however, the country's service industry has expanded recently. Much of the industrial sector is based on processing and assembly operations in the manufacturing of electronics and other high-tech components, usually from foreign multinational corporations.
Filipinos who go abroad to work–-known as Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs—are a significant contributor to the economy but are not reflected in the below sectoral discussion of the domestic economy. OFW remittances is also credited for the Philippines' recent economic growth resulting in investment status upgrades from credit ratings agencies such as the Fitch Group and Standard & Poor's. From more than US$2 billion worth of remittance from Overseas Filipinos sent to the Philippines in 1994, this significantly increased to a record US$38.34 billion in 2024 and represented 8.3 percent of the country's GDP.

Agriculture

, agriculture employs 24 percent of the Filipino workforce accounting for 8.9 percent of the total GDP. The type of activity ranges from small subsistence farming and fishing to large commercial ventures with significant export focus.
The Philippines is the List of countries by [coconut production|world's third largest producer] of coconuts, and the world's largest exporter of coconut products. Coconut production is generally concentrated in medium-sized farms. The Philippines is also the world's third largest producer of pineapples, producing in 2021.
Rice production in the Philippines is important to the food supply in the country and economy. The Philippines is the 8th largest rice producer in the world as of 2019, accounting for 2.5 percent of global rice production. Rice is the most important food crop, a staple food in most of the country; it is produced extensively in Central Luzon), Western Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Soccsksargen, and Ilocos Region.
The Philippines is one of the largest producers of sugar in the world. At least 17 provinces located in eight regions of the nation have grown sugarcane crops, of which the Negros Island Region accounts for half of the country's total production. As of Crop Year 2012–2013, 29 mills are operational divided as follows: 13 mills in Negros, 6 mills in Luzon, 4 mills in Panay, 3 mills in Eastern Visayas and 3 mills in Mindanao. A range from are devoted to sugarcane production. The largest sugarcane areas are found in the Negros Island Region, which accounts for 51 percent of sugarcane areas planted. This is followed by Mindanao which accounts for 20 percent; Luzon with 17 percent; Panay with 7 percent and Eastern Visayas with 4 percent.

Automotive and aerospace

The ABS used in Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volvo cars are made in the Philippines. Automotive sales in the Philippines increased to 467,252 in 2024 from 429,807 units a year prior. Toyota sells the most vehicles in the country followed by Mitsubishi, Ford, Nissan, and Suzuki. Honda and Suzuki produce motorcycles in the country. Since around the 2010s, several Chinese car brands have entered the Philippine market; these include Chery and Foton Motor.
Aerospace products in the Philippines are mainly for the export market and include manufacturing parts for aircraft built by both Boeing and Airbus. Moog is the biggest aerospace manufacturer with base in Baguio; the company produces aircraft actuators in their manufacturing facility. Total export output of aerospace products in the Philippines reached US$780 million in 2019.

Electronics

A Texas Instruments plant in Baguio has been operating for 20 years and is the largest producer of DSP chips in the world. Texas Instruments' Baguio plant produces all the chips used in Nokia cell phones and 80% of chips used in Ericsson cell phones in the world. Toshiba hard disk drives are manufactured in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Printer manufacturer Lexmark has a factory in Cebu City. Electronics and other light industries are concentrated in Laguna, Cavite, Batangas and other Calabarzon provinces with sizable numbers found in Southern Philippines that account for most of the country's export.
The Philippine Electronics Industry is classified into Semiconductor Manufacturing Services and Electronics Manufacturing Services according to SEIPI, the largest organization of foreign and Filipino electronics companies in the Philippines. Electronic products continued to be the country's top export with total earnings of US$45.66 billion and accounted for 57.8 percent of the total export of goods in 2022.
Semiconductor Industry
The semiconductor industry plays a critical role in the Philippine economy by integrating the Philippines into the global electronics value chain. The country is primarily involved in the assembly, testing, and packaging stages of semiconductor production rather than chip design or wafer fabrication, serving as a key link in the global supply chain for electronic components.
According to the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, semiconductor manufacturing services account for the majority of the country’s electronics industry output. Semiconductor products are widely used in consumer electronics, telecommunications equipment, automotive systems, and industrial applications.
Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the Philippines are largely operated by multinational firms and are concentrated in major industrial zones, particularly in the CALABARZON region as well as parts of Central Luzon and the Visayas. The industry benefits from a skilled technical workforce, competitive production costs, and government investment incentives.
As part of the broader electronics sector, semiconductors contribute significantly to export earnings, employment generation, and foreign direct investment. The industry also supports technology transfer and skills development, reinforcing its role as one of the Philippines’ most important high-technology manufacturing sectors.

Mining and extraction

The Philippines is rich in mineral and geothermal energy resources. In 2019, it produced of electricity from geothermal sources. A 1989 discovery of natural gas reserves in the Malampaya oil fields off the island of Palawan is being used to generate electricity in three gas-powered plants. Philippine gold, nickel, copper, palladium and chromite deposits are among the largest in the world. Other important minerals include silver, coal, gypsum, and sulphur. Significant deposits of clay, limestone, marble, silica, and phosphate exist.
About 60 percent of total mining production are accounted for by non-metallic minerals, which contributed substantially to the industry's steady output growth between 1993 and 1998, with the value of production growing 58 percent. Philippine mineral exports amounted to US$4.22 billion in 2020. Low metal prices, high production costs, lack of investment in infrastructure, and a challenge to the new mining law have contributed to the mining industry's overall decline.
The industry rebounded starting in late 2004 when the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of an important law permitting foreign ownership of Philippines mining companies. In 2019, the country was the 2nd largest world producer of nickel and the 4th largest world producer of cobalt. According to Philippine Statistics Authority, the total monetary value of four key metallic minerals which were appraised to Class A namely: copper, chromite, gold and nickel were valued at US$9.01 billion in 2022. Class A mineral resources are commercially recoverable that could contribute to economy annually.

Offshoring and outsourcing

Business process outsourcing and the call center industry contribute to the Philippines' economic growth resulting in investment status upgrades from credit ratings agencies such as Fitch and S&P. In 2008, the Philippines has surpassed India as the world leader in business process outsourcing. The industry generated 100,000 jobs, and total revenues were placed at US$960 million for 2005. In 2011, BPO sector employment ballooned to over 700,000 people and is contributing to a growing middle class; this increased to around 1.3 million employees by 2022. BPO facilities are concentrated in IT parks and centers in economic zones across the Philippines: Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Clark, Bacolod, Davao City, and Iloilo City; other areas with significant presence of the BPO industry include Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Dasmariñas, Dumaguete, Lipa, Naga, and Santa Rosa, Laguna. The majority of the top ten BPO firms of the United States operate in the Philippines.
Call centers began in the Philippines as plain providers of email response and managing services and is a major source of employment. Call center services include customer relations, ranging from travel services, technical support, education, customer care, financial services, online business to customer support, and online business-to-business support. The Philippines is considered as a location of choice due to its many outsourcing benefits such as less expensive operational and labor costs, the high proficiency in spoken English of a significant number of its people, and a highly educated labor pool.
The growth in the BPO industry is promoted by the Philippine government. The industry is highlighted by the Philippines Development Plan as among the 10 high potential and priority development areas. The government provides incentive programs such as tax holidays, tax exemptions, and simplified export and import procedures. Additionally, training is also available for BPO applicants.
In addition to economic contributions, some Philippine call center companies have implemented programs aimed at promoting employee welfare, including wellness initiatives, incentive schemes, and career development support for staff. For example, certain firms have established employee assistance programs, flexible work arrangements, and internal recognition systems to improve workplace morale and retention. This reflects broader efforts within the BPO sector to enhance working conditions and support for employees.

Renewable energy resources

The Philippines has significant potential in solar energy; however, as of 2021, most of the domestically produced electricity is based on fossil fuel resources, particularly coal. The country produced of renewable energy in 2019.
On November 15, 2022, the renewable energy sector was granted the ability to operate with 100 percent foreign ownership, an increase from the previous 40 percent limit. This change allows for the infusion of foreign capital into the renewable energy industries. The Department of Energy is targeting an increase in the share of renewable energy in the country's power generation mix, aiming for 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040, up from the current 22 percent. Danish firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) is investing US$5 billion to develop three offshore wind energy projects with a potential capacity of ; it will be located in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, Northern Samar, Pangasinan and La Union. In 2022, the share of RE in the energy mix was at 22.8 percent.

Shipbuilding and repair

The Philippines is a significant player in the global shipbuilding industry with 118 registered shipyards in 2021 distributed in Subic, Cebu, Bataan, Navotas and Batangas. As of 2022, it is the seventh largest shipbuilding nation by gross tonnage. Subic-made cargo vessels are exported to countries where shipping operators are based. South Korea's Hanjin started production in Subic in 2007 of the 20 ships ordered by German and Greek shipping operators. Bulk carriers, container ships and big passenger ferries are built in the country's shipyards. General Santos' shipyard is mainly for ship repair and maintenance.
Surrounded by waters, the country has abundant natural deep-sea ports ideal for development as production, construction and repair sites. In the ship repair sector, the Navotas complex in Metro Manila is expected to accommodate 96 vessels for repair. Shipbuilding is part of Philippines' maritime heritage; employing over 600,000 people and contributing almost 15 percent of revenues to the ocean-based industries.

Regional accounts

For the year 2022, all economies of the 17 regions in the Philippines recorded positive growths; Western Visayas had the highest growth, followed by Cordillera Administrative Region, and Davao Region.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, gross regional domestic product is GDP measured at regional levels. Figures below are for the year 2019.

Provincial accounts

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Provincial Product Account is GDP measured at provincial levels. Figures below are for the year 2022.
#ProvinceRegion2022 PPA GDP
2020
Popn.
PPA GDP
per capita
1Metro ManilaMetro Manila6,265,608,000,00013,484,462464,654
2LagunaCalabarzon990,690,000,0003,382,193292,914
3Cebu Central Visayas937,750,000,0005,151,274182,042
4CaviteCalabarzon731,390,000,0004,344,829168,336
5Pampanga Central Luzon658,070,000,0002,900,637226,871
6BatangasCalabarzon615,810,000,0002,908,494211,728
7BulacanCentral Luzon604,710,000,0003,708,890163,043
8Davao del Sur Davao Region599,000,000,0002,457,430243,751
9Misamis Oriental Northern Mindanao419,220,000,0001,685,302248,751
10Negros Occidental Western Visayas379,200,000,0003,223,955117,620
11PangasinanIlocos Region352,930,000,0003,163,190111,574
12Iloilo Western Visayas351,050,000,0002,509,525139,887
13RizalCalabarzon340,630,000,0003,330,143102,287
14Nueva EcijaCentral Luzon298,570,000,0002,310,134129,244
15Leyte Eastern Visayas296,950,000,0002,028,728146,373
16Quezon Calabarzon264,460,000,0002,229,383118,625
17South Cotabato Soccsksargen263,830,000,0001,672,791157,718
18BataanCentral Luzon256,890,000,000853,373301,029
19BukidnonNorthern Mindanao248,750,000,0001,541,308161,389
20Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga Peninsula241,000,000,0002,027,902118,842
21Benguet Cordillera233,810,000,000827,041282,707
22Camarines SurBicol Region194,840,000,0002,068,24494,206
23TarlacCentral Luzon193,290,000,0001,503,456128,564
24IsabelaCagayan Valley188,890,000,0001,697,050111,305
25Palawan Mimaropa180,320,000,0001,246,673144,641
26BoholCentral Visayas171,090,000,0001,394,329122,704
27Davao del NorteDavao Region168,610,000,0001,125,057149,868
28Negros OrientalCentral Visayas166,460,000,0001,432,990116,163
29CagayanCagayan Valley148,780,000,0001,268,603117,279
30AlbayBicol Region145,130,000,0001,374,768105,567
31Zambales Central Luzon140,630,000,000909,932154,550
32Lanao del Norte Northern Mindanao136,850,000,0001,086,017126,011
33CotabatoSoccsksargen120,350,000,0001,490,61880,738
34Misamis OccidentalNorthern Mindanao119,380,000,000617,333193,380
35La UnionIlocos Region118,600,000,000822,352144,220
36Zamboanga del NorteZamboanga Peninsula114,620,000,0001,047,455109,427
37Oriental MindoroMimaropa109,400,000,000908,339120,440
38Agusan del Norte Caraga96,070,000,000760,413126,339
39Ilocos NorteIlocos Region93,100,000,000609,588152,726
40Davao de OroDavao Region93,100,000,000767,547121,296
41Ilocos SurIlocos Region90,240,000,000706,009127,817
42MasbateBicol Region80,180,000,000908,92088,215
43Surigao del NorteCaraga78,380,000,000534,636146,604
44Maguindanao del NorteBangsamoro78,010,000,000943,50082,682
45SorsogonBicol Region74,560,000,000828,65589,977
46CapizWestern Visayas74,380,000,000804,95292,403
47Agusan del SurCaraga74,220,000,000739,367100,383
48Lanao del SurBangsamoro71,790,000,0001,195,51860,049
49Sultan KudaratSoccsksargen71,510,000,000854,05283,730
50AntiqueWestern Visayas70,690,000,000612,974115,323
51AklanWestern Visayas63,570,000,000615,475103,286
52Surigao del SurCaraga63,190,000,000642,25598,388
53Zamboanga SibugayZamboanga Peninsula60,390,000,000669,84090,156
54Camarines NorteBicol Region60,200,000,000629,69995,601
55SamarEastern Visayas57,860,000,000793,18372,947
56Nueva VizcayaCagayan Valley57,790,000,000497,432116,177
57Davao OrientalDavao Region55,450,000,000576,34396,210
58Occidental MindoroMimaropa52,560,000,000525,354100,047
59SaranganiSoccsksargen47,960,000,000558,94685,804
60SuluBangsamoro44,970,000,0001,000,10844,965
61Northern SamarEastern Visayas44,340,000,000639,18669,369
62Southern LeyteEastern Visayas43,010,000,000429,573100,123
63Maguindanao del SurBangsamoro38,230,000,000723,75852,822
64Davao OccidentalDavao Region37,900,000,000317,159119,498
65Basilan Bangsamoro34,240,000,000556,58661,518
66Eastern SamarEastern Visayas33,990,000,000477,16871,233
67AuroraCentral Luzon33,990,000,000235,750139,597
68RomblonMimaropa29,030,000,000308,98593,953
69CatanduanesBicol Region28,800,000,000271,879105,929
70KalingaCordillera27,130,000,000229,570118,177
71IfugaoCordillera25,770,000,000207,498124,194
72Tawi-TawiBangsamoro24,780,000,000440,27656,283
73AbraCordillera24,570,000,000250,98597,894
74MarinduqueMimaropa21,650,000,000239,20790,507
75QuirinoCagayan Valley21,140,000,000203,828103,715
76BiliranEastern Visayas16,190,000,000179,31290,290
77GuimarasWestern Visayas16,130,000,000187,84285,870
78Mountain ProvinceCordillera14,890,000,000158,20094,121
79SiquijorCentral Visayas12,020,000,000103,395116,253
80Dinagat IslandsCaraga12,000,000,000128,11793,664
81ApayaoCordillera11,500,000,000124,36692,469
82CamiguinNorthern Mindanao11,100,000,00092,808119,602
83BatanesCagayan Valley4,570,000,00018,831242,685

''Source: Philippine Statistics Authority''

City accounts

Figures below are Provincial Product Accounts for Highly Urbanized Cities or Independent Cities. No data available for cities within Metro Manila.
#CityProvinceRegionIsland
Group
2022 PPA GDP
2020
Popn.
PPA GDP
per Capita
1Davao CityDavao del SurDavao RegionMindanao495,310,000,0001,776,949278,742
2Cebu CityCebuCentral VisayasVisayas288,640,000,000964169299,367
3Cagayan de OroMisamis OrientalNorthern MindanaoMindanao261,780,000,000728402359,389
4BaguioBenguetCordilleraLuzon155,030,000,000366,358423,165
5Lapu-LapuCebuCentral VisayasVisayas151,420,000,000497,604304,298
6Iloilo CityIloiloWestern VisayasVisayas145,050,000,000457,626316,962
7Zamboanga CityZamboanga del SurZamboanga PeninsulaMindanao139,470,000,000977,234142,719
8BacolodNegros OccidentalWestern VisayasVisayas132,810,000,000600,783221,062
9AngelesPampangaCentral LuzonLuzon132,420,000,000462,928286,049
10General SantosSouth CotabatoSoccsksargenMindanao129,020,000,000697,315185,024
11MandaueCebuCentral VisayasVisayas109,580,000,000364,116300,948
12IliganLanao del NorteNorthern MindanaoMindanao77,020,000,000363,115212,109
13ButuanAgusan del NorteCaragaMindanao57,370,000,000372,910153,844
14Puerto PrincesaPalawanMimaropaLuzon53,080,000,000307,079172,855
15OlongapoZambalesCentral LuzonLuzon52,260,000,000260,317200,755
16TaclobanLeyteEastern VisayasVisayas51,530,000,000251,881204,581
17LucenaQuezonCalabarzonLuzon46,620,000,000278,924167,142
18IsabelaBasilanBangsamoroMindanao11,760,000,000130,37990,199

source: Philippine Statistics Authority

International comparisons

OrganizationReportAs ofChange from previousRanking
Fraser InstituteEconomic Freedom of the World2021 370 out of 144
International Monetary FundGDP (PPP)202329th
International Monetary FundGDP (nominal)2023 534th
International Monetary FundGDP per capita (PPP)2023 3116th
International Monetary FundGDP per capita (nominal)2023 4124th
International Monetary FundForeign exchange reserves202328th
The Heritage Foundation/The Wall Street JournalIndex of Economic Freedom2016 1376 out of 178
The World FactbookExternal debt2023 335th
United NationsHuman Development Index2021116 out of 191
World Economic ForumGlobal Competitiveness2019 864 out of 141
World Economic ForumGlobal Enabling Trade Report2014 864 out of 138
World Economic ForumFinancial Development Index2012 549 out of 60
World BankEase of doing business index2014 1395 out of 183

Statistics

GDP-related data can be found here:Industries: electronics assembly, aerospace, agribusiness, automotive, IT and business process outsourcing, shipbuilding, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, financial services, food processing, petrochemical, metalcasting and mining, real estate, textile, tourismElectricity – production: 106,115 GWh Agriculture – products: abaca, bananas, sugarcane, coconuts, durian, rice, corn, cassavas, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef, pineapples, fishExports – commodities/products: Semiconductors and electronic products, machinery, transport equipment, aerospace/parts, automotive/parts, garments, chemicals, copper, nickel, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruitsImports – commodities/products: electronic products, machinery, telecommunication and transport equipment, automotive, chemicals, petroleum, cereals, livestocks, cement and steel, fruitsManufacturing Growth: 5.9% PMI Manufacturing: 52.2 Yield Curve: 10-Year Bond 6.70% Net International Investment Position: –$51.317 billion

Government budget

The national government budget for 2025 has set the following budget allocations:
Budget allocationDifference from
F.Y. 2024
Department of Education977.616.78 0.89%
Department of Public Works and Highways900.015.44 10.88%
Department of Health297.65.11 0.36%
Department of the Interior and Local Government278.44.78 5.33%
Department of National Defense256.14.39 6.05%
Department of Social Welfare and Development230.13.95 0.78%
Department of Agriculture211.33.60 0.49%
Department of Transportation180.93.10 59.15%
The Judiciary63.61.09 5.35%
Department of Labor and Employment40.60.70 5.91%