Overview of Hiring Activity
The Philippines’ online hiring activity rose 16% year-on-year in September 2026, measured against a firm base, since September 2025 was one of last year’s stronger months. Month-on-month, activity slipped just 1%, a gentle pullback suggesting the index is levelling out rather than sliding further.
The index sits 3% below its level three months ago but 10% above six months ago. Breadth also improved at the margin, with more industries adding hiring over the month.
Most industries and functions remain above their year-ago levels, led by logistics, retail and education. Outsourcing is the weak spot. BPO/ITES hiring fell to its lowest reading in over a year, and customer service roles followed. In July, the industry association cut its 2028 growth targets, citing faster AI adoption and slower offshore buying decisions.
Hiring Trends by Industry (YoY change)
11 out of 13 industries tracked by the Index registered year-on-year growth in September 2026, with Logistics, Retail and Education leading.
In demand
Logistics, Courier/Freight, Transportation & Shipping (+15%) The top performer for a second month. Freight, warehousing and last-mile networks continue to add staff.
Retail (+8%) Retailers are staffing early for the long Christmas trading season.
Education (+8%) Schools and training providers have completed first-semester hiring.
Hospitality (+7%) Steady domestic and inbound travel supports operational staffing across guest services.
Engineering, Construction & Real Estate (+6%) Infrastructure and industrial project work sustains demand for site and engineering roles.
Consumer Goods/FMCG (+6%) Stable consumer demand supports steady expansion across FMCG categories.
Advertising, Market Research, PR, Media & Entertainment (+5%) Still positive, but the gain has narrowed after the steepest monthly fall of any industry, pointing to more cautious brand spending.
Production/Manufacturing, Automotive & Ancillary (+4%) Modest gains as manufacturers add capacity selectively.
BFSI (+3%) Digital banking and compliance requirements keep financial services hiring slightly ahead of last year.
IT, Telecom/ISP (+2%) A modest gain as firms keep technology hiring targeted.
Facing challenges
Health Care (−6%) Dipped below its year-ago level, largely because September 2025 was an unusually strong month.
BPO/ITES (−19%) The sharpest decline, and deeper than the high base alone explains. Clients are slowing offshore commitments, and AI is absorbing more entry-level work.
Hiring Trends by Functional Area (YoY change)
8 out of 11 functional areas recorded year-on-year growth in September 2026. Technology and engineering roles lead, while customer service roles show the steepest decline
In demand
Software, Hardware & Telecom (+17%) The leading function. Application development, analytics and data engineering roles continue to draw hiring into global capability centres.
Engineering/Production/Real Estate (+13%) Infrastructure and industrial project work keeps engineering talent in demand.
Hospitality & Travel (+12%) Hiring in this function is growing in line with its parent industry.
Finance & Accounts (+6%) Audit, compliance and reporting roles remain in steady demand.
Sales & Business Development (+2%) Back in positive territory as firms add commercial capacity selectively.
Medical (+1%) Edged above last year’s level. The slower gain reflects a strong September 2025 comparison rather than weaker demand.
HR & Admin (+1%) Marginally positive, with stable workforce management needs sustaining baseline hiring.
Facing challenges
Purchase/Logistics/Supply Chain (−3%) Slipped below its year-ago level on a base effect, despite continued expansion on the logistics industry side.
Marketing & Communications (−8%) Eased alongside tighter brand budgets.
Customer Service (−13%) The steepest functional decline, as voice-support volumes thin with the slowdown in BPO/ITES.
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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