With some 108 million people in 2019, the Philippines is now the 13th most populous country in the world. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicate that the population continues to increase, with three babies born per minute. It is also one of the youngest countries, with 52 percent of the total population below 24 years old (30 percent from 10-24 years old), and 7.5 percent are (60 years old and above), according to the 2015 Census.

Developing policies and investments for the future of young people is critical for the Philippines to reap the benefits of a ‘demographic dividend’ – the economic growth potential that can result from households having fewer children and a larger number of productive young people who now have better health, better education and decent jobs who can save and invest.

However, this 'demographic window of opportunity’ is closing fast for the country. UNFPA is assisting the Government in seizing this by strengthening demographic intelligence.

For instance, UNFPA is working with the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on the implementation of the National Action Plan on the Demographic Dividend to harness this window of opportunity.

UNFPA is also supporting the government led by NEDA with the Longitudinal Cohort Study – a nationwide study that follows 5,000 Filipino girls and boys who were 10 years old in 2016 and will become 24 in 2030. The study aims to inform national and local policy-making and help develop sound future policies for the youth to achieve the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 as well as Agenda 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In partnership with the Government of Australia, UNFPA is assisting in establishing common operational data sets on population statistics for humanitarian settings. A Violence against Women prevalence survey and other Demographic Dividend-related studies will strengthen the evidence base for population and development initiatives.

Key Projects:

1.            Implementation of the National Action Plan on the Demographic Dividend (USD 1,240,000 from 2019-2023; of which USD 140,000 is unfunded);

2.            Analyses on the policy implications of demographic intelligence data, which includes: the 15-year Longitudinal Cohort Study on the Filipino Child (USD 2,512,000 from 2019-2023; of which USD 1,606,000 is unfunded); and

3.            Demographic Dividend-related studies (USD 570,000 from 2019-2023; of which USD 470,000 is unfunded).