THE Philippines’ greatest competitive advantage may be its people, particularly its young and increasingly capable workforce. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 census, Filipinos aged 15 to 30 number 32.40 million, or 28.8 percent of the household population. Another 74.95 million, or 66.7 percent, are within the working-age population. These figures are more than demographics. They represent an enormous reservoir of talent, creativity and potential.
I was reminded of this through the 2026 Swiss Innovation Prize Competition, where young Filipinos presented responses to challenges facing the country today: faster referral pathways for heart attack patients; financial assistance navigation for breast cancer patients; streamlined health-technology registration and reimbursement; talent and simulation platforms for the IT-BPM workforce; satellite and AI monitoring for digital infrastructure; and sustainable materials derived from rice husk ash, recycled PET, durian and agro-industrial waste.
What impressed me was not simply the sophistication of the entries, but how firmly they were grounded in real Philippine needs. They showed that meaningful innovation often begins by understanding a problem clearly and finding a practical way to address it.
This is where the Philippines-Switzerland connection becomes especially meaningful. Switzerland brings a strong tradition of precision, research, sustainability and innovation. The Philippines brings creativity, resilience, urgency, and deep knowledge of local realities. When these strengths come together, promising concepts can move closer to practical application and create lasting value. Just as importantly, this exchange allows both sides to learn from one another, combining international experience with local insight in ways that strengthen each project over time.
For SwissCham, supporting emerging innovators means creating bridges between academe and industry, research and enterprise, Philippine talent and international expertise. Competitions like this should be more than celebrations. They can help participants find mentors, understand real-world requirements, test their work, build networks, and gain opportunities to take the next step.
At a time when the safety and well-being of young people are rightly receiving renewed attention, we must also create constructive spaces where they can contribute, collaborate, and be heard. Young Filipinos should not be defined only by the challenges they face but also by the possibilities they represent.
The future of Philippine industry should not simply be built for the youth. It should be built with them.
When we invest in their ideas, skills and ambition, we are not merely preparing the next generation. We are strengthening the Philippines we are building today.
Christine Fajardo is the executive director of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (SwissCham), which advances Philippine-Swiss business relations through advocacy, innovation, sustainability and strategic partnerships. Empower is SwissCham’s thought leadership column in The Manila Times, featuring insights from business leaders and experts on sustainable industry, innovation, leadership, and inclusive growth.
