The digital economy in 2021 amounted to PhP 1.87 trillion, contributing 9.6 percent to the country’s economy or to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This represents an increase of 7.8 percent from the PhP 1.73 trillion recorded in 2020. (Tables 1, 2, and 4, and Figure 1)

Figure 1. Gross Value Added (GVA) and Percent Share
of Digital Economy to GDP at Current Prices, 2018-2021

_{Source: Philippine Statistics Authority}

The digital economy is composed of digital transactions covering Digital-enabling infrastructure, E-commerce, and Digital media/content. Of the total digital transactions in 2021, Digital-enabling infrastructure shared the bulk with 79.6 percent or PhP 1.49 trillion. This is higher by 7.6 percent from the PhP 1.38 trillion digital transactions in 2020. Under the Digital-enabling infrastructure, Telecommunication services, and Professional and Business services had the highest shares to digital economy of 31.5 percent and 27.1 percent, respectively. (Table 3)

E-commerce contributed 17.6 percent while Digital media/content shared 2.8 percent in 2021. The strict quarantine restrictions during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 highly affected the E-commerce transactions particularly in accommodation, transport, and other tourism-related activities.  While E-commerce transactions were noted to increase for online selling, delivery, and courier services, the total transactions declined by -31.4 percent in 2020, mainly due to decline in online tourism-related activities. (Tables 1 to 3)

In 2020, there were 5.01 million Filipinos employed in digital economy. This reached 5.59 million persons in 2021, posting an increase of 11.6 percent. Employment in Digital-enabling infrastructure recorded the highest share in 2021 with 76.9 percent, followed by E-commerce (20.7%) and Digital media/content (2.4%).  (Tables 5 to 7, and Figure 2)

Figure 2. Employment in Digital Economy, 2021

_{Source: Philippine Statistics Authority}

For more information, the statistical tables, infographics, and technical notes can be accessed at https://psa.gov.ph/digital-economy.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General