The Philippines has been ranked 21st out of 24 economies in the Asia-Pacific region in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), placing it as the fourth-lowest performer in the bloc.
The country achieved a score of 27.87 out of 100, falling significantly below the regional average and highlighting persistent challenges in environmental governance and sustainability metrics.
This latest assessment reinforces broader structural headwinds facing the Philippine economy.
The low environmental ranking compounds existing concerns regarding the country's competitiveness in attracting foreign capital.
Recent data indicates that foreign direct investment inflows have remained stagnant in 2025, even as neighboring Southeast Asian economies experienced a broader regional capital boom.
Investors increasingly weigh environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria when allocating capital, and a poor EPI standing can deter long-term institutional interest.