Filipinos 3rd lowest paid in APEC nations – WB data

A motorcycle mechanic fixing a motorcycle’s tire at a roadside in a province in the Philippines.
(Photo from ShutterStock/junpinzon)

MANILA – According to the World Bank data, Filipinos ranked as the third lowest paid among the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member-economies while the Americans, Japanese and Canadians emerged as the top paid.

Despite efforts to bring about inclusive growth in the region through discussions in this year’s APEC Summit, with the theme “Building Inclusive Economies, Building A Better World,” the World Bank data still showed the huge disparity in income among APEC nations.

Following Vietnam and Papua New Guinea, Filipinos earned only $1,581 per capita in 2013 – a US rate in 2005, with the Americans now earning $45,710 in a year – the highest in the APEC countries.

Following the United States were the Japanese with $37,573, Canadians with $37,528, Australians with $37,491, Hongkongese with $33,534, New Zealanders with 29,334, Koreans with $23,892, Taiwanese with $21,506, Chinese with $9,726, Mexicans with $8,519, and Peruvians with $4,109.

Even in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a wide income disparity was also seen. The Singaporeans earned $36,897 – the highest – followed by Bruneians with $24,184 and Malaysians with $6,997.