Total fertility rate among Filipino women continues to decline, down from 4.1 children per woman since 1993
Summary
The 2025 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) reports a continued fall in the Philippines’ total fertility rate (TFR). For women aged 15–49, TFR for the three years before the survey (roughly 2022–2025) is 1.7 children per woman, down from 4.1 in 1993. Fertility remains higher in rural areas (2.0) than in urban areas (1.5), but both have declined sharply since the early 1990s.
The survey also covers age-specific fertility, teenage childbearing, regional and socioeconomic variation, fertility preferences, and methodology. Notable findings include low adolescent fertility, regional disparities (lowest in Calabarzon at 1.3, highest in BARMM at 2.4), falling teen pregnancy, and a majority of married women indicating they do not want more children.
Key Points
- National TFR (women 15–49) is 1.7 children per woman (2022–2025), down from 4.1 in 1993.
- Rural TFR is 2.0 (from 4.8); urban TFR is 1.5 (from 3.5); fertility remains higher in rural areas.
- Age-specific fertility: adolescents (15–19) = 22 births per 1,000; peak at 25–29 = 94 per 1,000; 30–34 = 84 per 1,000.
- Regional spread: lowest TFR in Calabarzon (Region IV‑A) at 1.3; NCR and Negros Island Region at 1.4; highest in BARMM at 2.4, with Region IX and Caraga above the national average.
- Teenage childbearing is low and falling: ~4.9% of girls 15–19 had ever been pregnant in 2025 (historic low ~4.8%). Higher in rural areas (5.8%) than urban (4.2%); highest regional share in Region IX (9.3%).
- Education and wealth strongly correlate with fertility: women with some primary education average 3.1 children; poorest quintile 2.8 vs richest 1.1 children.
- Family-size preferences: 57.3% of currently married women said they did not want more children; among two‑child families, 63.3% wanted no more (up from 62.5% in 2022).
- NDHS 2025 is a midterm national DHS with high response rates: 36,128 households interviewed (99.5% household response) and 29,694 women (98.2% individual response).
Context and relevance
The Philippines’ rapid fertility decline alters long-term population growth, workforce size and age structure — issues that matter for employers, HR planners, social policy and public services. Lower fertility combined with changing preferences and regional variation will influence future labour supply, demand for family-related benefits, and planning for education, health and pensions. The NDHS results also reflect links between education, wealth and reproductive choices, important when designing targeted social and health programmes.
Why should I read this?
Quick and to the point: if you care about workforce trends, benefits planning or public policy in the Philippines, these figures matter. Fewer babies now = different workforce numbers later, shifting markets and new HR priorities. Read this to avoid getting blindsided by demographic change.
Author’s take
Punchy: This isn’t just a stat — it’s a structural shift. HR leaders and policymakers should treat the decline as a trigger to rethink long‑term hiring, succession and benefits strategies. The detail in the NDHS gives you the where, who and why to act.
Source
Methodology note
The NDHS 2025 used detailed pregnancy histories to calculate age-specific and total fertility rates for the three years before the survey. The sample included 41,602 selected housing units, 36,309 occupied units and completed interviews with 29,694 women aged 15–49.