MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine economy’s formal sector saw a slight increase in establishments in 2022, growing by 0.2 percent to a total of 281,825, according to preliminary data from the 2022 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI). 

The data, released only on Monday by the Philippine Statistics Authority, is a marginal rise from 281,153 establishments reported in 2021.

The Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles sector accounted for the largest share, with 125,257 establishments or 44.4 percent of the total. 

Following this were Financial and Insurance Activities (15.2 percent) and Accommodation and Food Service Activities (11.0 percent). In contrast, the Mining and Quarrying sector reported only 303 establishments (0.1 percent).

Regionally, the National Capital Region (NCR) led with 67,176 establishments (23.8 percent), trailed by CALABARZON(14.2 percent) and Central Luzon (10.6 percent). The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) had the fewest, with 2,091 establishments (0.7 percent), the data said.

Employment growth outpaces establishment increase

Employment figures showed more robust growth, rising by 3.3 percent to 6,361,802 workers in 2022, up from 6,155,893 in 2021. Of these, 99.3 percent were paid employees, while the rest were working owners or unpaid workers.

The Administrative and Support Service Activities sector employed the most workers, with 1,364,700 (21.5 percent). At the other end of the spectrum, the Mining and Quarrying sector had the fewest employees at 36,575 (0.6 percent).

NCR also topped employment numbers, accounting for 2,432,745 workers or 38.2 percent of the total. CALABARZONfollowed with 16.6 percent, and Central Visayas ranked third with 9.9 percent, it noted.

Workforce distribution trends

The average workforce per establishment rose to 23 workers in 2022, a 4.5 percent increase from 22 in 2021. 

The Administrative and Support Service Activities sector had the highest average of 221 workers per establishment, while Other Service Activities had the lowest at seven workers.

NCR also recorded the highest average workforce per establishment at 36, followed by CALABARZON and Central Visayas with 26 workers each.