The Philippine BPO industry contributes nearly $30 billion to the economy each year. It is estimated that 1.3 million Filipinos were employed in over 1000 BPO companies in 2019, and that figure is showing 8-10% growth every year. It is estimated that the country holds 10-15% of the global BPO market. Its services are oriented to its former colonial power, the USA, and also serve Europe and nearer neighbors, such as Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.
More recently, the rise of digital platforms has facilitated freelancing. Here, rating systems and global competition create a highly competitive and uncertain industry.
There are an estimated 1.5 million Filipino freelance workers on these platforms. In an article by Forbes, the Philippines ranked sixth among the fastest-growing markets for freelancers in 2019, with a 35% growth from the previous year. More so, ever since the pandemic happened, the so-called “gig economy” has grown significantly in the country, opening up far more opportunities for lower-skilled workers.

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