Philippines IT-BPM seen outpacing global industry growth this year

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine information technology - business process management (IT-BPM) industry expects to grow faster than the global industry in terms of revenue and headcount this year.

Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) president Jack Madrid told reporters that the sector sees its revenues and employee count growing faster than the global industry growth of three percent this year.

Madrid said the country’s IT-BPM industry expects to generate $40 billion worth of revenues this year, five percent higher than last year’s $38 billion.

He said headcount is also expected to rise by four percent to 1.9 million in 2025 from 1.82 million in 2024.

“(This) shows that yet again, the Philippines is leading the growth of this industry,” he said.

The revenue and headcount goal for this year have undergone review to reflect the latest developments.

According to IBPAP, rising demand for digital customer experience and increased adoption of artificial intelligence and analytics will support this year’s performance.

It also expects growth to be supported by firms diversifying away from India, as well as the continued increase in Global Capability Center market through both new investments and expansion of existing centers.

To support the growth, IBPAP is working with the government to ensure the Filipino workforce is ready for the market requirements of the future.

In particular, the IBPAP is working with the government on upskilling initiatives related to the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act.

IBPAP chief operating officer Celeste Ilagan said the group is now mobilizing the industry to fully utilize within the year the P240-million allocation from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the P500 million from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for upskilling in the IT-BPM sector.

The IBPAP is closely coordinating with TESDA and DICT for the official guidelines for the national rollout of the EBET.

It is also working with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on talent development, innovation and business competitiveness through the Philippine Quality Award Program.

“Public-private partnership is critical in achieving our vision for inclusive and future-ready growth for this year until 2028,” Madrid said.