The Philippine information technology and business process management industry is projected to generate $42 billion in export revenues in 2026 as it nears a milestone of 2 million workers, according to the sector’s primary trade group.
The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) expects 2026 revenues to grow 5 percent from the projected $40 billion in 2025. Employment is forecast to reach 1.97 million workers by 2026, following a 4-percent increase in the workforce this year.
IBPAP president and chief executive Jack Madrid said the focus moving into 2026 is to relentlessly upskill the workforce and embrace higher-value work.
Madrid said the industry continues to work closely with government, academe and investors to keep the Philippines at the heart of global services.
Momentum for the coming year is underpinned by the expansion of global capability centers. Investments from multinational firms in 2025 deepened operations in healthcare, financial services, analytics and technology-enabled services.
Artificial intelligence adoption is expected to further boost export revenues by improving productivity and service quality.
The shift has increased demand for advanced skills in analytics, transformation, project management and strategy support capabilities.
The industry’s outlook improved following the 2025 passage of the CREATE MORE Act and clearer Philippine Economic Zone Authority rules regarding work-from-home arrangements. These policies eased investor concerns regarding incentives and operational flexibility.
To meet the demand for higher-value roles, IBPAP expanded workforce initiatives with the government and schools.
These programs include enterprise-based training and digital access support for public schools to better align the talent supply with market needs.
Investor sentiment has shifted toward long-term planning, with expansions extending beyond Metro Manila. Growth is increasingly concentrated in regional hubs including Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Clark.
