This Special Release serves as additional information focusing on the national comparison of the 2023 economic performance of the 33 Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) in the country.

All HUCs posted annual growth in 2023, with three HUCs recording double-digit growth.

Based on the latest PPA results, all 33 HUCs in the Philippines grew in 2023 from their levels in 2022. City of Puerto Princesa recorded the fastest annual growth of 10.6 percent. This was followed by City of Iloilo and City of Bacolod with 10.5 percent and 10.0 percent growth, respectively. These three economies were the only HUCs which registered a double-digit annual growth in 2023. Moreover, included in the top 10 were the following: City of Lapu-Lapu, 9.4 percent; City of Baguio, 9.0 percent; City of Lucena, 8.9 percent, City of Parañaque, 8.7 percent, City of Cebu, 8.3 percent; City of Mandaue, 7.6 percent; and City of Olongapo, 7.5 percent. All HUCs included in the top 10 registered annual growth faster than the national GDP growth rate of 5.5 percent. (Figure 1)

Figure 1. Top 10 Fastest-Growing HUCs      
in Terms of GDP Annual Growth Rates, at Constant 2018 Prices, 2023      
     
^{Source: Philippine Statistics Authority}

Quezon City and City of Makati were the only HUCs to surpass trillion pesos GDP in 2023.

The total GDP of all HUCs was estimated at PhP 9.23 trillion, 43.8 percent of the national GDP in 2023. In terms of share to the national GDP, Quezon City had the largest share at 6.0 percent, followed by City of Makati with 5.6 percent share. These two economies were the only HUCs to surpass trillion pesos GDP in 2023. Moreover, other HUCs which composed the top 10 were the following: City of Manila, 4.7 percent; City of Taguig, 2.7 percent; City of Davao, 2.5 percent; City of Pasig, 2.3 percent; City of Parañaque, 1.63 percent; Pasay City, 1.60 percent; City of Cebu, 1.5 percent; and City of Mandaluyong, 1.4 percent. Eight of these economies included in the top 10 are HUCs in the National Capital Region (NCR), while only two are from regions outside NCR. (Figure 2)

Figure 2. Top 10 Largest HUC Economy      
in Terms of Levels and Percent Share to National GDP, 2023      
at Constant 2018 Prices      
     ^{Source: Philippine Statistics Authority}

City of Makati topped among all HUCs across the Philippines in terms of per capita GDP in 2023.

At the national level, per capita GDP was estimated at PhP 186,476 in 2023. Comparing all the HUC economies across the Philippines, City of Makati topped with an estimated per capita GDP of PhP 1.78 million, the only economy that reached a million-peso per capita GDP in 2023. This was followed by Pasay City and City of San Juan with PhP 766,194 and PhP 713,042, respectively. Included in the top 10 HUCs in terms of per capita GDP were City of Mandaluyong, City of Pasig, City of Taguig, City of Manila, City of Muntinlupa, City of Baguio, and City of Parañaque. Moreover, nine out of the top 10 were HUCs in NCR, while only one HUC outside NCR made it to the top 10. (Figure 3)

Figure 3. Top 10 HUCs in Terms of Per Capita GDP      
at Constant 2018 Prices, 2023      
     
^{Source: Philippine Statistics Authority}

The compilation of PPA has been implemented in all regions in the Philippines as of 2024. In 2025, the PPA is programmed to be institutionalized in all regions, which ensures annual compilation of PPA for all provinces and HUCs in the country. Complete statistical tables, charts, and data visualizations on the PPA results can be accessed at psa.gov.ph/statistics/ppa and PSA Openstat.

DIVINA GRACIA L. DEL PRADO, PhD      
Assistant Secretary      
Deputy National Statistician      
Sectoral Statistics Office