Key Findings
Economic growth slowed in the first half of 2019, driven by a rapid deceleration in
investment growth due to contraction in public spending and weaker global
economy. Nevertheless, the Philippines expects to sustain progress in poverty
reduction.
Amidst rising global uncertainties, the Philippine economy remains strong and is
projected to grow 5.8% in 2019, before recovering to 6.1% and 6.2% in 2020 and
2021, respectively.
In the short term, fast tracking the implementation of recently approved game-
changing reforms would help to achieve inclusive growth. In the long-term,
promoting competition to generate quality jobs will enhance the impact of growth on
poverty reduction in the Philippines.
Recent Economic Developments
In the first half of 2019, economic growth slowed to its lowest level in eight years
amid challenging external environment and a significant slowdown in investment
growth.
Private consumption was the main growth driver, as growth recovered to 5.8% year-
on-year in the first half of 2019 from 5.3% during the same period last year, driven
by moderating inflation, steady remittance inflows, an improving job market, and an
increase in economic activity from election-related spending.
Declining inflation driven by stabilizing prices of food and energy prompted the
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines) to adopt a more
accommodative policy stance in 2019. Inflation fell to 1.7% in August 2019, the
lowest in almost 3 years.
The Philippine government’s expansionary fiscal policies for 2019 was put on hold
as the delayed passage of the 2019 public budget impacted the pace of public
spending significantly in the first half of the year, resulting in substantial
underspending. Nevertheless, the implementation of previous tax-policy reforms led
to robust revenue, resulting in a lower than programmed fiscal deficit for the first
half of 2019.
In the short-term, resuming public investment and fast tracking the effective
implementation of game-changing reforms such as the Ease of Doing Business
Law, the Rice Tariffication Law, the creation of a foundational ID system, and other
such transformational policy changes would be critical to set the country to a higher
path toward accelerating inclusive growth. While in the long-term, promoting
competition to foster quality job creation will enhance the impact of economic
growth on poverty reduction and shared prosperity
The lack of competition in key sectors has negatively impacted Philippine firms and
consumers, resulting in sub-optimal outcomes in key sectors such as electricity,
telecommunications, transport and logistics.
Reducing restrictions to market competition would yield significant payoffs for
households and firms in the country to boost the economy’s overall
competitiveness.
Eliminate restrictions on foreign and domestic investors to help level the playing
field;
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/publication/philippines-economic-
update-october-2019-edition