Creative economy valued at P2.12 trillion in 2025

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine creative economy’s value reached over P2 trillion last year, driven by accelerating digitalization efforts.

Based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, the creative economy rose by seven percent to P2.12 trillion last year from P1.98 trillion in 2024.

The country’s creative economy was valued at P1.79 trillion in 2023.

In terms of its economic contribution, the creative sector accounted for 7.6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product at current prices last year, up slightly from 7.5 percent in 2024.

Industries part of the creative economy are audio and audiovisual media activities; digital interactive goods and service activities; advertising, research and development and other artistic service activities; symbols and images and other related activities; media publishing and printing activities; music, arts and entertainment activities; visual arts activities; traditional cultural expression activities and art galleries, museums, ballrooms, conventions and trade shows and related activities.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies senior research fellow John Paolo Rivera said in a Viber message that the higher creative economy value was likely driven by stronger digitalization and platform-based activities such as online content, design and media services.

He said the sector was also supported by a rebound in discretionary spending, tourism recovery and the large and growing workforce.

Of the creative industries, symbols and images and other related activities accounted for the largest share of 31.6 percent amounting to P670.15 billion last year.

Digital interactive goods and service activities placed second with a 19.7 percent share, followed by advertising, research and development and other artistic service activities with 15.9 percent.

While the value of the creative economy increased, employment in the sector declined slightly to 8.71 million last year from 8.74 million in 2024.