The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Philippines’ population growth rate is slowing down. However, recent data continues to show a concerning rise in adolescent birth rates, particularly in the very young age group of under 15 years old. According to the 2024 Census of Population, the annual population growth rate dropped to 0.80% (2020 to 2024), a significant decrease from 1.63% (2015–2020). This demographic shift is contrasted by data from the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, which shows an increase in adolescent pregnancies among girls aged 10 to 14, rising from 2,411 births in 2019 to 3,343 births in 2023.
On the commemoration of World Contraception Day (WCD) hosted by Bayer Philippines Inc., the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) revealed key population updates, highlighting the need to address adolescent pregnancy and the passage of a policy for such. Bayer Philippines Inc. and UNFPA Philippines also formally introduced “Building Adolescent Peer Champions for SRHR,” an initiative that leverages adolescents’ use of social media to build knowledge, combat misinformation and encourage positive attitudes regarding sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). This initiative is also intended to support adults in having honest conversations with adolescents around the sensitive topics of contraception, pregnancy and the like.
“Together, we are putting young people at the center, ensuring they have the knowledge, skills, and support to make informed choices and to advocate for themselves and their communities… Everyone deserves accurate information. Access to reliable, unbiased knowledge about contraception is essential, and we must work together to combat misinformation that puts lives at risk” emphasized by Neus Bernabeus, UNFPA Philippines Country Representative
Progress and Challenge: CPD Reports 9M Family Planning Users as Fertility Rate Drops to 1.9
CPD Executive Director Lisa Grace S. Bersales commended the nation’s substantial progress, declaring, “We are witnessing a transformative era for family planning in the Philippines, marked by a record-breaking 9.03 million users and a historic decline in our fertility rate to 1.9. This signals a powerful societal shift towards planned parenthood and enables the country to harness its demographic dividend.”
She also emphasized a call to action, stressing that “this success is shadowed by the urgent and unmet need of key groups, particularly the 42% of sexually active unmarried women who lack access to their preferred methods and the persistently low engagement of men; we must now redouble our efforts to ensure equitable access to a full range of modern contraceptives for every Filipino, especially the poor and marginalized, to truly fulfill our vision of a Planado, Matatag, at Maginhawang Pamilyang Pilipino.”
Building up online champions as bridges to better information
Social media platforms are powerful tools for encouraging individuals to explore contraception and family planning (FP) options that meet their needs. The “Digital Conversion Study” or DCS, conducted last year by Bayer Philippines and CPD showed that platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok significantly influence the contraceptive choices of Filipinos. We likewise learned that respondents preferred digital materials, presented in engaging format with real individuals talking about factual data on various contraceptive and FP methods.
As a follow-up, Bayer Philippines and UNFPA are launching this 2025 the “Building Adolescent Peer Champions for SRHR” initiative. This project aims to empower young people to become advocates for positive attitudes around sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). It involves training adolescent and adult social media influencers on SRHR communication, along with mentorship for content creation. Additionally, adult champions, including parents and community leaders from Pasig and Navotas, will participate in training workshops to support and amplify the campaign’s message.
“When we celebrated World Contraception Day in 2024, we launched the results of the Digital Conversion Study, our partnership initiative with CPD that highlighted how powerful social media can be in shaping contraceptive and family planning choices. We are proud to continue that journey with UNFPA Philippines through the “Building Adolescent Peer Champions for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” program that empowers young people to spark conversations with their peers about reproductive health and family planning, using the social media platforms they know best.” says Angel-Michael Evangelista, Head of Foundational Brands ASEAN – Pharmaceuticals and Managing Director, Bayer Philippines Inc.
The FORUM For Family Planning and Development, also emphasizes its commitment to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, alongside the communities for World Contraception Day. “While the RPRH Law of 2012 affirms SRHR as a universal right, still many young Filipinos and marginalized groups, such as LGBTQIA+ people, Persons with Disabilities, and Indigenous Peoples, remain excluded and denied their SRHR needs. We must recognize that this is not just a health issue; it intersects with societal challenges that affect people’s daily lives,” says Dr. Corazon Raymundo, President, The FORUM.
Exclusion deepens the gaps in SRHR access, making the Philippines one of the countries with the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy, HIV, and gender-based violence in Southeast Asia. “Making sure that everyone is included means meeting people’s SRHR needs; it demands justice, equity, inclusivity, and a focus on overall well-being. Building an inclusive future requires acknowledging the meaningful participation, representation, and empowerment of people and communities,” Dr. Raymundo, added.