Top 5 Thesis Topics on Why the Philippines Is Still Not an Upper-Middle Income Country

Explore the top 5 thesis topics that uncover the real reasons the Philippines remains a lower-middle income country. Perfect for economics, business, and development research.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Realyn Manalo

7/7/20252 min read

Source: GMA News Online

Let me convince you to make this a thesis.

In 2022, President Bongbong Marcos stood before the nation and promised we’d reach upper-middle income status by 2024. It sounded bold. It sounded possible. But today, in 2025, we’re still stuck. The World Bank says we are still lower-middle income. Yes, our gross national income (GNI) went up, but not enough. The gap is still there. The dream keeps moving further away.

The problem isn’t just the numbers. It’s that our foundations are weak. Every year, we hear the same promises: more infrastructure, better digital access, smoother business processes. But growth doesn't just come from building roads. It comes from fixing broken systems. Corruption. Inequality. Education that doesn’t prepare people for the future. These are the things dragging us down. If we don’t name them, we’ll never change them.


Who Can Use These Topics

This research is ideal for students and professionals pursuing the following courses or strands:

College Programs:

  • Economics

  • Development Studies

  • Political Science

  • Public Administration

  • Business Administration


Senior High School Strands:

  • HUMSS

  • GAS

  • ABM

5 Thesis Topic Ideas

1.Impact of Government Infrastructure Reforms on GNI Per Capita in the Philippines

This study explores how recent government infrastructure reforms contribute to national income levels.

Target Respondents

  • Government planning officers

  • Economic researchers

  • Business owners in infrastructure sectors

2.The Relationship Between Public Education Quality

and National Income Growth

This research examines how the quality of education affects long-term national income growth.

Target Respondents

  • Public school teachers

  • Department of Education officials

  • College students

3.Effect of Ease of Doing Business on Small Enterprise Growth

in Urban Areas

Investigates the link between policy reforms and the actual growth of small businesses.

Target Respondents

  • Small business owners

  • Local government officers

  • Start-up founders

4.Digitalization and Its Role in Economic Mobility

Among Filipino Workers

Looks at how access to digital tools impacts income levels and job opportunities.

Target Respondents

  • Remote workers

  • BPO employees

  • Tech start-up employees

5.The Effect of Corruption Perception on Investor Confidence

in the Philippines

Studies how public trust and perceived corruption influence foreign and local investments.

Target Respondents

  • Investors

  • Business analysts

  • Policy experts

Get Your Thesis Title — or Keep Getting Rejected

Bestie, let’s stop pretending you’ve “got it covered.”

You’re here because:

  • Your title keeps getting rejected

  • You don’t know the difference between a “topic” and a “research gap”

  • You’re guessing your way through something that decides your graduation

And let’s be real — you’ve already:
❌ Tried making titles from scratch
❌ Watched “How to Write a Thesis Title” TikToks
❌ Copy-pasted topics from other people's thesis (ooops?)

Still stuck? Exactly.

You don’t need more ideas.

You need a system.

That’s what the Thesis Toolkit gives you:

YTB Thesis Title Booster – because you need legit, research-based topics based on current trends — not random ones na “maganda pakinggan.”


Thesis Title Builder – because you keep forgetting na kailangan may survey source or research instrument ka rin, hindi lang title.


Research Gap Finder – because most of your drafts get rejected for one reason: Walang gap.

YOU NEED THIS IF...

  • You're tired of starting over

  • You're afraid to open your adviser’s feedback

  • You want a title, gap, and source na adviser-friendly and academically sound

This isn’t optional.
It’s either you use this toolkit...
or you keep wasting weeks writing titles na walang mapupuntahan.

👇👇👇
[GET THE TOOLKIT]
Before your adviser humbles you one more time.

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