Overview of Hiring Activity
The Philippines’ online hiring activity strengthened significantly in May 2026, with the foundit Insights Tracker rising 15% year-on-year — an acceleration from April and the strongest result in several months. Month-on-month, the index climbed 11%, reflecting a
sharp broad-based uptick.
The headline rests on solid fundamentals — the Philippines remains among the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, supported by resilient domestic demand, steady remittances, and sustained infrastructure spending. But beneath the topline, the labour market is quietly re-sorting: routine, lower-value outsourcing work is contracting while higher-value digital and knowledge work is accelerating.
Hiring is up 16% over the last 3 months and 27% over the last 6 months, with 11 of 13 industries and 10 of 11 functional areas positive in May. The structural headwinds in BPO/ITES are real, but their effect is now being more than offset by hiring expansion across logistics, advertising, education, retail, and a resurgent technology function.
Hiring Trends by Industry (YoY change)
11 of the 13 industries tracked recorded positive year-on-year growth in May 2026. BPO/ITES and BFSI remained in negative territory.
In demand
Logistics, Courier/Freight, Transportation & Shipping (+13%) The top industry performer for a second consecutive month. E-commerce and last-mile delivery expansion, infrastructure investment, and a strategic policy focus on logistics continue to sustain elevated hiring across warehousing, transport, and fulfilment roles.
Advertising, Market Research, PR, Media & Entertainment (+12%) Continued corporate investment in digital and performance marketing sustains demand for creative and campaign functions.
Education (+10%) A notable reversal after a prolonged period of contraction, pointing to a resumption of institutional investment in teaching and academic support roles.
Retail (+8%), Engineering, Construction & Real Estate (+3%), Production/Manufacturing (+3%), Health Care (+2%), and Hospitality (+1%) all recorded positive growth, supported by consumer activity, project execution, persistent healthcare shortages, and steady tourism.
Facing challenges
BPO/ITES (−11%) The most significant industry headwind — and the key structural story. AI is now automating high-volume, routine voice and back-office tasks, displacing entry-level and quality-assurance roles. The industry is mid-pivot from traditional call-centre work toward “BPO 2.0” — higher-value knowledge-process outsourcing and global capability centres — and the headline headcount decline is the visible cost of that transition rather than a sign of the sector’s retreat.
BFSI (−7%) Financial institutions continue to tighten hiring and consolidate back-office functions as automation limits the need for incremental headcount.
IT, Telecom/ISP (−1%) and Consumer Goods/FMCG (−2%) recorded marginal annual declines reflecting sector-specific caution rather than broad deterioration.
Hiring Trends by Functional Area (YoY change)
10 of the 11 functional areas recorded year-on-year growth in May 2026.
In demand
Software, Hardware & Telecom (+27%) The standout functional performer and a sharp acceleration from April’s +7%. This is the other side of the BPO story: as routine outsourcing contracts, the value is migrating into software, digital, and engineering work. Global firms are expanding shared services, capability centres, and digital operations in the Philippines, and AI-first businesses are scaling — concentrating demand in exactly these higher-skill roles.
Marketing & Communications(+7%), Purchase/Logistics/Supply Chain (+6%), Finance & Accounts (+5%), Engineering/Production, Real Estate (+3%), and a cluster at +1–2% (Sales & BD, Customer Service, Hospitality & Travel) contributed to the breadth of the recovery across operational, support, and service functions.
Facing challenges
HR & Admin (−4%) The main functional drag, as organisations consolidate shared services and automate routine people and administrative processes. Health Care Roles (−1%) edged marginally negative despite industry-level growth, with demand concentrated in specific clinical sub-functions.
About the foundit Insights Tracker
The foundit Insights Tracker (fit) Philippines (formerly the Monster Employment Index) is a monthly benchmark of online hiring activity across the nation. By analysing millions of job postings, fit provides timely, data-led intelligence on recruitment trends across industries, occupations, and skill categories, helping organisations and talent navigate an evolving labour market.
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