The Philippine IT and business process management (IT-BPM) industry could generate between $43.3 billion and $50.5 billion in revenue by 2028 as the sector shifts toward AI-enabled and higher-value services, according to the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).
IBPAP’s 2028 industry outlook projects full-time employment of between 1.85 million and 2.14 million. The group said future growth would depend less on expanding headcount and more on increasing the value generated by each worker.
“For years, our industry has measured success by how many people we could employ. The next chapter will increasingly be defined by the value every Digital Filipino Worker (DFW) creates. That is the shift from capacity to capability,” IBPAP president and CEO Jack Madrid said.
Madrid said reaching the upper end of the revenue forecast would require coordinated action among the private sector, government, and educational institutions, particularly in developing workers for AI-assisted roles.
IBPAP’s strategy calls for the development of “AI-enabled” workers who combine proficiency in AI tools with industry expertise and human skills such as judgment, critical thinking, empathy, and leadership.
The association expects revenue per worker to become a more important measure of the country’s competitiveness as routine tasks are increasingly automated.
The industry group cited several training initiatives, including Project UNLAD with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Information and Communications Technology. Other programs include the AI Tech Academy in Cebu and Byte the Gap with the Department of Education.
IBPAP said demand is expanding in global capability centers, healthcare, banking and financial services, and emerging markets. These segments increasingly require specialized services involving AI and complex, knowledge-intensive work.
“Growth of this scale requires an ecosystem that enables innovation, investment, and talent development. We will continue working closely with government, academe, and industry partners to create an environment where businesses can invest with confidence and Filipino talent can thrive in the global digital economy,” IBPAP chief operating officer Celeste Ilagan said.
