The Philippines placed 53rd in the 2025 B-READY Report of the World Bank Group (WBG), a quantitative assessment of a country’s business environment, among 101 participating economies, positioning it at the midpoint of the expanded list that now includes more advanced economies.
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said the outcome of the WBG B-READY Report, now on its second year of pilot implementation, underscores the country’s ability to remain competitive amid a wider coverage that includes additional high-income and upper-middle income economies. The 2nd B-READY Report reflects reform conditions of participating economies as of 1 September 2024 and serves as a snapshot of progress at that time.
Notably, the report shows the Philippines having demonstrated remarkable strength in the Regulatory Framework Pillar, placing 26th out of 101 economies. Advancing the score from 70.68 in 2024 to 73.86 in 2025, this reflects progress in putting clearer and more predictable rules that support business operations from start-up to closure.
Gains were also observed in the Public Services Pillar, with a score of 50.80 in 2024 to 57.82 in 2025, placing 51st out of 101 economies. This indicates continued improvements in government services accessibility and delivery to businesses.
Beyond pillar-level gains, the Report shows improved performance in key topic areas such as Utility Services, Market Competition (including competition policy, innovation, and public procurement), and Financial Services. Business Entry likewise posted measurable progress, with its rating increasing from 48.49 in 2024 to 50.25 in 2025, reflecting tangible reductions in the time required to start a business. The average time to register a new domestic firm declined from approximately 75 days in 2024 to 53 days in 2025, while registration period for a foreign firm improved from about 106 days to 77.5 days over the same period.
At the same time, the Report highlights priority areas for further reform, including Business Insolvency, International Trade, and Labor which recorded lower ratings relative to 2024. Business Location also registered a slight decline, from 60.28 in 2024 to 59.74 in 2025, pointing to the continued need to streamline land use, zoning, and permitting processes.
The 2025 B-READY results capture laws, regulations, processes and service delivery as of 1 September 2024. Consequently, reforms implemented from late 2024 onwards, including the Philippine Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Reform Guidebook, are expected to be reflected in future B-READY Reports.
The reforms can help address the need for sustained attention in the Operational Efficiency Pillar, where challenges persist in ensuring that policies and systems are effectively translated into faster and more consistent processes on the ground.
The Government’s commitment and lasting efforts to improve investment, growth, and inclusive development remain steady. Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., translating policy and regulatory reforms into faster, simpler, and more predictable services across national agencies and local government units continues to be the focus, guided by the PH EODB Reform Guidebook.
ARTA said it remained confident that the country’s performance in future B-READY Reports will continue to improve through sustained reforms, stronger coordination with the private sector and partners, and a whole-of-nation approach, as reforms introduced after the period of the 2025 B-READY Report, including those implemented from late 2024 onwards, are expected to be reflected in future results.
