The Philippines is entering a “demographic sweet spot,” with projections showing a rising share of working-age Filipinos that could boost economic growth if government planning and investments are aligned, a Commission on Population and Development (CPD) official said Friday.
In an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, CPD Executive Director Lisa Grace Bersales said the country’s population will continue to grow, but its structure is shifting toward a larger labor force over the next 15 years, creating development opportunities.
“So, we know the population will continue to grow, but what will happen is that the working-age population — those aged 15 to 64 — will increase, with projections reaching about 70 percent compared to around 64 percent now,” Bersales said.
She said the shift requires the government to recalibrate priorities, moving from a heavy focus on child-centered services toward employment generation, skills development, and job matching for a growing working-age population, while sustaining investments in education and nutrition.
“But in the future, the working-age population will increase, so what the government will need to prioritize are good and appropriate jobs for those aged 15 to 64 so they can contribute to the country’s economic development,” she said.
Bersales also said projections show a growing number of senior citizens, underscoring the need to expand services for older persons, particularly in health care and social protection.
On population management, she reiterated that the country’s population policy remains human-rights based and non-coercive, with the government focusing on accurate information and access to family planning services rather than dictating family size.
“This is what we call the demographic sweet spot, meaning it is a very good situation for a country to have a larger working-age population,” Bersales said.
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