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Make UMIC count: End corruption, unlock prosperity
Manila Bulletin
|July 3, 2026
The Philippines has reached a milestone decades in the making.
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According to the World Bank, the country has officially entered the ranks of upper-middle-income economies after its gross national income (GNI) per capita climbed to US$4,850 in 2025, exceeding the required threshold. It is a significant economic achievement and a testament to years of steady growth, resilient domestic demand, and the enduring contribution of overseas Filipino workers whose remittances continue to strengthen the nation's income base.
An upgraded economic status is not tantamount to outright prosperity.
The real test begins now. Upper-middle-income-country (UMIC) status should not be treated as another trophy displayed in government presentations while millions continue to struggle with expensive food, stagnant wages, inadequate public services, and limited employment opportunities. Economic progress is meaningful only when it improves the quality of life of ordinary citizens.
This story is from the July 3, 2026 edition of Manila Bulletin.
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