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MANILA, Philippines — After four straight years of slipping in global startup rankings, the Philippines reversed course in 2026, climbing one spot to 63rd in the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Index.
The improvement, however, comes as Southeast Asia’s leading startup ecosystems continue to pull further ahead, highlighting both the country’s growing strengths and the challenges that remain.
The Global Startup Ecosystem Index, published annually by research platform StartupBlink, ranks 100 countries and more than 1,500 cities based on indicators such as startup activity, funding, exits and the business environment.
In an analysis of the 2026 rankings, Dr. Rogelio Alicor Panao, an associate professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman and an Inquirer data scientist, described the country’s improved standing as “a sign of cautious recovery in a region where neighbors are sprinting ahead.”
