TLDR: The Philippines has recorded a remarkable 383% year-over-year increase in Generative AI (GenAI) course enrollments, significantly outpacing both the Asia Pacific and global averages. This surge highlights the nation’s rapid adoption of emerging technologies and its commitment to developing an AI-ready workforce, according to Coursera’s latest Global Skills Report.
The Philippines is at the forefront of the global Generative AI (GenAI) education boom, with a staggering 383% year-over-year increase in enrollments for GenAI courses. This growth rate far exceeds the Asia Pacific average of 132% and the global average of 195%, as revealed in Coursera’s annual Global Skills Report for 2025. The findings underscore the rapid adoption of emerging technologies by Filipino learners and the country’s strong commitment to cultivating an AI-ready workforce.
The report, which draws insights from Coursera’s extensive global community of over 170 million learners, meticulously tracks emerging skill trends across more than 100 countries. In its seventh edition, the 2025 report positions the Philippines 88th globally for overall skills proficiency and 18th within the Asia Pacific region. Filipino learners demonstrated a 29% proficiency in business skills, 21% in technology, and 17% in data science.
In Coursera’s newly introduced AI Maturity Index, the Philippines ranks 60th, indicating substantial potential for growth in AI research, innovation, and talent development. This progress aligns seamlessly with national initiatives aimed at upskilling one million AI-skilled workers by 2028, as part of broader digitalization objectives.
Notably, 86% of Filipino knowledge workers are already integrating AI into their daily work, a figure well above the global average of 75% and the regional average of 83%. This trend is mirrored in learner behavior on Coursera, with significant increases in enrollments for courses that equip individuals with skills prioritized by employers. Beyond GenAI, enrollments in AI and Machine Learning (ML) courses jumped by 307%, cybersecurity by 53%, professional certificates by 23%, critical thinking by 10%, and curiosity by 74%.
Eklavya Bhave, head of Asia Pacific at Coursera, commented on the development, stating, “The Philippines is laying the foundation for a digitally confident workforce. AI is a clear priority for employers, and learners are stepping up by acquiring GenAI skills and industry micro-credentials to stay ahead.” He added, “From AI strategies to forward-thinking education policies, we’re seeing a strong national commitment to equipping Filipinos with the right mix of technical, business, and human skills. Coursera is proud to support this transformation by partnering across education, industry, and government to build an inclusive, job-ready talent pipeline.”
Despite the impressive overall growth, the report also highlights participation gaps, particularly concerning gender. Women constitute only 37% of GenAI learners in the Philippines, despite representing 51% of Coursera’s total learner base in the country.
Also Read:
- Organizations Prioritize AI Workforce Development: Strategies for Reskilling and Upskilling Employees
- AI Skills Now Essential for 78% of Tech Jobs, Global Consortium Pledges to Upskill 95 Million
With 2.7 million Coursera learners and a median age of 32, the Philippines boasts one of the region’s most digitally engaged populations, poised to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 indicates that 96% of Filipino businesses intend to upskill their workforce to better collaborate with AI, significantly higher than the global average of 77%. However, an International Monetary Fund report cautions that 40% of jobs in the Philippines are significantly impacted by AI, with 14% of the workforce facing a direct risk of displacement. The Global Skills Report’s data was collected from March 2024 to February 2025, reflecting recent trends in skill development.
