TLDR Philippine GDP grew 2.3% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, the slowest pace since the pandemic. Growth dropped sharply from 5.5% in the same quarter of 2025. Officials pointed to rising fuel costs, inflation, and weaker remittances tied to the Middle East conflict. A pause in public construction linked to a flood control corruption probe also slowed activity. PAGCOR reported a 26.6% drop in gaming revenue for the first half of 2026, with online gaming down 41.9%.
The Philippines economy grew by 2.3% year on year in the second quarter of 2026. This is the slowest quarterly growth rate the country has recorded since the pandemic began.
The number fell short of government expectations. It also marks a steep drop from the 5.5% growth seen in the same quarter last year.
Malacañang Palace Press Officer Claire Castro addressed the figures this week. She said the result did not meet what officials had hoped for heading into the quarter.
What Caused the Slowdown
Castro pointed to several factors behind the weak reading. Rising fuel costs tied to the Middle East conflict were one of the main drivers.
Higher fuel prices added pressure on inflation and household budgets. Employment and remittances from workers abroad were also affected.
Both remittances and jobs play a large role in supporting spending across the country. When either weakens, consumer activity tends to slow along with it.
A separate issue tied to domestic policy also played a part. The government paused several public construction projects while investigating misuse of flood control funds.
That anti corruption effort was meant to control costs and restore public trust. It also delayed infrastructure spending during the quarter.
Castro described the slowdown as temporary. She said the government expects growth to pick up again in