THE DEPARTMENT of Finance Secretary Frederick Go announced that Davao Region remained the first largest economy in Mindanao and fourth fastest-growing regional economy in the Philippines with a Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of P1.14 trillion in 2025
During the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) held at Dusit Thani Davao on Aug 24, Go said Davao’s GRDP growth rate rapidly rose at 5.1%, faster than the 4.4% national growth, and is also the fifth biggest economy nationwide.
It also recorded 4.9% share of national GRDP with an inflation rate 0.7% inflation rate and unemployment rate at 2.9%
“Davao is an important part of the Philippine growth story. It is the economic center of Mindanao. The region has been connecting businesses, employees, capital, and markets,” Go said
Go highlighted that Davao City is one of the Philippines’ top urban economies, being among the fastest-growing Highly Urbanized Cities in 2024 with a 7.9% rate, and largest HUC economies at 2.9%.
According to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Usec Carlos Bernardo Abad Santos, Davao Region has become an international logistics hub in Mindanao with ongoing connectivity projects across land, air, and sea while pursuing an integrated inter-modeled transportation system.
Among these developments are the Davao City Bypass, Samal Island-Davao Connector (SIDC) bridge, Davao International Airport expansion, Mati Airport development, and others.
Santos added that Mindanao is already a growth engine with a 4.7% GRDP in 2025, higher than the national 4.4%, and has demonstrated resiliency through successive shocks. Its strength lies in the GRDP distribution to the country which accounts for 17.2% while its contribution to agriculture, forestry, and fishery is at a larger 37.4%.
