Economy, jobs and prices in Central Visayas (Region VII), Philippines: official figures
The economy of Central Visayas produced ₱1.58 trillion of goods and services in 2025 (gross regional domestic product, GRDP, at current prices), 5.6% of the Philippine total of ₱28.01 trillion; by size it ranks 4th largest of 17 regions. Since 2024 the Negros Island Region is counted as a region of its own, so this figure leaves out Negros.
How fast is the economy of Central Visayas growing?
GRDP at current prices in Central Visayas grew 5.7% from 2024 to 2025 (₱1.49 trillion to ₱1.58 trillion), against 5.9% for the Philippines; it ranks 7th fastest of 17 regions for growth. This is growth in pesos and is not adjusted for price rises.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority · saved copyHow much has the economy of Central Visayas grown since 2018?
Between 2018 and 2025 GRDP at current prices in Central Visayas rose from ₱1.02 trillion to ₱1.58 trillion, an increase of 54.1%, against 53.4% nationally. The figures are not adjusted for price rises.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Central Visayas?
Services (trade, transport, finance, government, education, health and similar) made up 70.4% of GRDP in Central Visayas in 2025 (₱1.11 trillion), against 64.4% for the Philippines; it ranks 2nd highest of 17 regions by share.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority · saved copyHow much of the economy of Central Visayas is industry?
Industry (manufacturing, mining, construction and utilities) made up 24.1% of GRDP in Central Visayas in 2025 (₱379.6 billion), against 27.0% for the Philippines; it ranks 7th lowest of 17 regions by share.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority · saved copyHow important is farming in the economy of Central Visayas?
Agriculture, forestry and fishing made up 5.6% of GRDP in Central Visayas in 2025 (₱87.8 billion), against 8.6% for the Philippines; it ranks 2nd lowest of 17 regions by share.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority · saved copyWhat is the GDP per person in Central Visayas?
Dividing 2025 GRDP by the 2024 census population gives about ₱237,565 of output per resident of Central Visayas, against ₱248,470 for the Philippines; it ranks 5th highest of 17 regions.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Central Visayas?
The unemployment rate in Central Visayas was 3.6% in 2023 (Labor Force Survey), against 4.4% for the Philippines; it ranks joint 9th highest of 17 regions for unemployment. This source predates the Negros Island Region, created in 2024, so it has no separate figure for Negros.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority · saved copyHow has unemployment changed in Central Visayas?
Unemployment in Central Visayas was 5.2% in 2019, jumped to 10.3% in 2020 during the first year of the pandemic and was 3.6% in 2023; nationally the rate went 5.1%, 10.3% and 4.4%.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Central Visayas?
66.2% of people aged 15 and over in Central Visayas were in the labour force (working or looking for work) in 2023, against 64.9% nationally; it ranks 5th highest of 17 regions.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority · saved copyWhat is the underemployment rate in Central Visayas?
The underemployment rate in Central Visayas was 6.0% in 2023, meaning that share of employed people wanted more hours of work or an additional job; the national rate was 12.3% and Central Visayas ranks the lowest of 17 regions.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority · saved copyHow many working-age people are there in Central Visayas?
Central Visayas had 5,698,800 people aged 15 and over in 2023, the working-age population measured by the Labor Force Survey; in 2014 the figure was 4,977,800.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority · saved copyHow many households in Central Visayas have electricity?
91.8% of households in Central Visayas had electricity in the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey, against 94.8% nationally; it ranks 5th lowest of 17 regions. This source predates the Negros Island Region, created in 2024, so it has no separate figure for Negros.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority and ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many households in Central Visayas own a computer or refrigerator?
In 2022, 88.9% of households in Central Visayas owned a mobile phone, 64.5% a television, 46.0% a refrigerator and 24.0% a computer; nationally the shares were 92.0%, 73.9%, 52.3% and 30.0%. This source predates the Negros Island Region, created in 2024, so it has no separate figure for Negros.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority and ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Central Visayas use the internet?
79.7% of women aged 15 to 49 in Central Visayas had used the internet in the past 12 months (2022 survey; national: 82.2%), and 30.6% had a bank account (national: 32.0%).
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority and ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Central Visayas are in paid work?
50.6% of women aged 15 to 49 in Central Visayas were currently employed in 2022 (national: 44.8%); of employed women, 24.8% worked in professional, technical or managerial jobs and 5.8% in agriculture.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority and ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Central Visayas (Region VII) compares with other regions
GRDP at current prices (2025)
Central Visayas (Region VII) ranks 4 of 17, highest first. The Negros Island Region, created in 2024, is not listed; Western Visayas and Central Visayas exclude Negros in this table.
| Rank | Region | GRDP at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Capital Region (NCR) | ₱8.75 trillion |
| 2 | CALABARZON (Region IV-A) | ₱4.00 trillion |
| 3 | Central Luzon (Region III) | ₱3.04 trillion |
| 4 | Central Visayas (Region VII) | ₱1.58 trillion |
| 5 | Davao Region (Region XI) | ₱1.46 trillion |
| 6 | Northern Mindanao (Region X) | ₱1.34 trillion |
| 7 | Ilocos Region (Region I) | ₱925.0 billion |
GRDP growth, 2024 to 2025 (at current prices, not adjusted for inflation) (2024-2025)
Central Visayas (Region VII) ranks 7 of 17, highest first. The Negros Island Region, created in 2024, is not listed; Western Visayas and Central Visayas exclude Negros in this table.
| Rank | Region | GRDP growth, 2024 to 2025 (at current prices, not adjusted for inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | National Capital Region (NCR) | 6.6% |
| 5 | Davao Region (Region XI) | 6.2% |
| 6 | Western Visayas (Region VI) | 6.0% |
| 7 | Central Visayas (Region VII) | 5.7% |
| 8 | MIMAROPA Region (Region IV-B) | 5.6% |
| 9 | Ilocos Region (Region I) | 5.4% |
| 10 | Northern Mindanao (Region X) | 5.4% |
GRDP per resident (2025 GRDP over 2024 census population) (2025)
Central Visayas (Region VII) ranks 5 of 17, highest first. The Negros Island Region, created in 2024, is not listed; Western Visayas and Central Visayas exclude Negros in this table.
| Rank | Region | GRDP per resident (2025 GRDP over 2024 census population) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Davao Region (Region XI) | ₱271,136 |
| 3 | Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) | ₱262,664 |
| 4 | Northern Mindanao (Region X) | ₱259,237 |
| 5 | Central Visayas (Region VII) | ₱237,565 |
| 6 | CALABARZON (Region IV-A) | ₱236,148 |
| 7 | Central Luzon (Region III) | ₱234,096 |
| 8 | Western Visayas (Region VI) | ₱173,964 |
Services share of GRDP (2025)
Central Visayas (Region VII) ranks 2 of 17, highest first. The Negros Island Region, created in 2024, is not listed; Western Visayas and Central Visayas exclude Negros in this table.
| Rank | Region | Services share of GRDP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Capital Region (NCR) | 84.1% |
| 2 | Central Visayas (Region VII) | 70.4% |
| 3 | Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) | 70.3% |
| 4 | Western Visayas (Region VI) | 66.7% |
| 5 | Davao Region (Region XI) | 60.0% |
| 6 | Northern Mindanao (Region X) | 57.1% |
| 7 | MIMAROPA Region (Region IV-B) | 56.6% |
Unemployment rate (2023)
Central Visayas (Region VII) ranks 10 of 17, highest first. Western Visayas and Central Visayas still include Negros in this source.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Western Visayas (Region VI) | 4.1% |
| 8 | Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) | 3.8% |
| 9 | MIMAROPA Region (Region IV-B) | 3.6% |
| 10 | Central Visayas (Region VII) | 3.6% |
| 11 | Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) | 3.6% |
| 12 | Davao Region (Region XI) | 3.2% |
| 13 | SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII) | 3.2% |
Labour force participation rate (age 15 and over) (2023)
Central Visayas (Region VII) ranks 5 of 17, highest first. Western Visayas and Central Visayas still include Negros in this source.
| Rank | Region | Labour force participation rate (age 15 and over) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Caraga (Region XIII) | 73.2% |
| 3 | SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII) | 69.3% |
| 4 | Northern Mindanao (Region X) | 68.9% |
| 5 | Central Visayas (Region VII) | 66.2% |
| 6 | Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) | 65.6% |
| 7 | Cagayan Valley (Region II) | 64.9% |
| 8 | Ilocos Region (Region I) | 64.7% |
Underemployment rate (2023)
Central Visayas (Region VII) ranks 17 of 17, highest first. Western Visayas and Central Visayas still include Negros in this source.
| Rank | Region | Underemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Cagayan Valley (Region II) | 10.7% |
| 12 | Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) | 10.6% |
| 13 | Ilocos Region (Region I) | 10.3% |
| 14 | National Capital Region (NCR) | 8.1% |
| 15 | Central Luzon (Region III) | 6.7% |
| 16 | Davao Region (Region XI) | 6.7% |
| 17 | Central Visayas (Region VII) | 6.0% |
Households with electricity (2022)
Central Visayas (Region VII) ranks 13 of 17, highest first. Western Visayas and Central Visayas still include Negros in this source. Survey estimate with a margin of error.
| Rank | Region | Households with electricity |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Northern Mindanao (Region X) | 94.1% |
| 11 | Davao Region (Region XI) | 92.7% |
| 12 | Bicol Region (Region V) | 92.3% |
| 13 | Central Visayas (Region VII) | 91.8% |
| 14 | MIMAROPA Region (Region IV-B) | 90.5% |
| 15 | Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX) | 90.0% |
| 16 | SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII) | 89.1% |
Households owning a computer (2022)
Central Visayas (Region VII) ranks 8 of 17, highest first. Western Visayas and Central Visayas still include Negros in this source. Survey estimate with a margin of error.
| Rank | Region | Households owning a computer |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Ilocos Region (Region I) | 31.0% |
| 6 | Cagayan Valley (Region II) | 26.0% |
| 7 | Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) | 26.0% |
| 8 | Central Visayas (Region VII) | 24.0% |
| 9 | MIMAROPA Region (Region IV-B) | 23.0% |
| 10 | Davao Region (Region XI) | 23.0% |
| 11 | Bicol Region (Region V) | 22.0% |
More on Central Visayas (Region VII): overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the Philippines
Sources
- Philippine Statistics Authority and ICF (The DHS Program): 2022 Philippines National Demographic and Health Survey: selected national and regional indicators (DHS Program API), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 401a0e9d6912…)
- Philippine Statistics Authority: Gross Regional Domestic Product at Current Prices, by Region, Major Industry: 2018 to 2025 (OpenStat table 0052B5BGRP0, CSV export; values in thousand pesos), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0424b0ab102c…)
- Philippine Statistics Authority: Philippine Statistical Yearbook, Table 11.1: Total Population 15 Years Old and Over by Employment Status and Region, 2014 to 2023 (Labor Force Survey; OpenStat table, CSV export), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a991f0e2dc46…)
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