The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) on Friday said in the Philippines that the country will add about 15 million people over the next 10 years as it enters a “demographic sweet spot,” a period when a growing share of the population falls within working age and can help drive economic growth through aligned government planning and investments.
The CPD official said projections show that the number of working-age Filipinos will continue to increase in the coming decade, while the proportion of dependents such as children and older persons will comparatively decrease.
The official said this shift in age structure can create a larger labor force that can sustain higher productivity levels when the government implements appropriate policies in education, health, employment, and social protection.
The CPD said the demographic sweet spot refers to a stage in population transition when the ratio of working-age people to dependents reaches a level that can potentially generate faster economic growth.
The official said the Philippines needs to strengthen programs that support human capital development so that the expanding working-age group can acquire skills required by the labor market.
The CPD said authorities must improve access to quality education, technical and vocational training, and higher education to prepare young Filipinos for available and emerging jobs.
The official said investments in health services, including reproductive health, maternal care, and child nutrition, will help ensure that future workers enter the labor force healthy and productive.
The CPD said the government needs to create more and better jobs by supporting sectors with high employment potential and by encouraging investments that can absorb the growing number of workers.
The official said policymakers must also expand social protection mechanisms, such as pension systems and health insurance, to prepare for the future increase in the number of older persons after the demographic window passes.
The CPD said the projected population increase of 15 million in 10 years underscores the need for long-term planning in urban development, housing, transportation, and basic services.
The official said coordinated efforts among national agencies, local governments, and the private sector will help align infrastructure and services with the expected growth and changing composition of the population.
The CPD said the demographic sweet spot will not automatically translate into higher economic growth and will require timely and sustained policy interventions.
The official said the commission will continue to monitor population trends and will provide data and analysis to guide government planning and budgeting.
The CPD said it will coordinate with economic and social planning agencies to integrate demographic considerations into national and local development plans over the next decade.
The official said the commission bases its population projections on official data and demographic methods that account for fertility, mortality, and migration patterns in the country.
The CPD said it will release more detailed projections and policy recommendations in upcoming reports to support decision-makers as the Philippines moves through its demographic transition.
