most economies, the Philippines experiences fluctuations in economic activity, commonly referred to as business cycles. As of August 2021, the Philippine economy is projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to be in the early stages of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic-induced recession. In 2020, the country experienced a sharp contraction of 9.6% due to the pandemic's impact on various industries, such as tourism and manufacturing.
However, recent indicators suggest that the economic recovery is gaining momentum, with GDP posting growth of 11.8% in the second quarter of 2021, driven by the gradual easing of pandemic-induced restrictions and increased public spending. The Philippines' Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), a leading economic indicator that tracks the manufacturing and services sectors, also showed an expansion in August 2021, indicating a returning level of business activity.
In summary, the current business cycle level of the Philippines is in the early stages of the recovery phase. While there are still uncertainties and risks, such as potential COVID-19 outbreaks, the country's economic prospects appear to be improving.