Makati City

Makati, formally designated as the City of Makati, is a highly urbanized municipality situated in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. In 2020, the population was 629,616, ranking it as the 47th most populous city in the nation. Makati is recognized as a premier financial hub in the Philippines, featuring the largest density of global and domestic firms in the country.

Makati is strategically located in the center of Metro Manila at the coordinates 14°40′N and 121°3′E. The city is delineated by the Pasig River to the north, adjacent to Mandaluyong, with Taguig to the east, Pasay to the southwest, and Manila to the northwest. Makati covers a total land area of 21.57 square kilometers, featuring a varied urban terrain that includes the Manila South Cemetery, an exclave of Manila’s San Andres neighborhood.

The city’s status as a financial center is reflected in its striking skyline, highlighted by the Ayala Triangle in the Makati Central Business District. This region functions as the headquarters for various international corporations, financial institutions, and significant enterprises, solidifying Makati’s status as the nation’s foremost business locale. The Makati Business Club, a distinguished group of over 800 chief executive officers and senior executives, representing 450 of the Philippines’ major firms, highlighting the city’s economic importance.

The economic environment of Makati is marked by its diversity and complexity. The office space market in the city is significant, featuring a supply of 2.8 million square meters as of the conclusion of 2021. This significant inventory establishes Makati as a key contender in the Metro Manila office market, alongside adjacent cities Taguig and Pasig. Recent trends indicate that Taguig has surpassed Makati in office supply share, with Taguig securing 26 percent of the market compared to Makati’s 20 percent as of 2023.

The Philippine Stock Exchange, formerly situated on Makati’s Ayala Avenue, has relocated its offices to Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Notwithstanding this action, Makati remains integral to the nation’s financial sector, with a multitude of financial firms sustaining a robust presence in the city.

Makati has emerged as a significant cultural and entertainment center in Metro Manila, in addition to its reputation as a financial powerhouse. The city boasts a dynamic shopping landscape, featuring numerous shopping malls that provide a blend of foreign and local retail establishments, upscale boutiques, culinary venues, and entertainment options. The Ayala Center is a distinguished commercial and cultural hub, comprising a pedestrian-friendly complex of upscale malls that include movies, retail stores, dining establishments, and global cuisine franchises. Prominent shopping centers inside the Ayala Center are Greenbelt, Glorietta, Park Square, The Link, and Ayala Malls One Ayala. The complex houses three prominent department stores: SM Makati, Rustan’s, and The Landmark.

Additional prominent shopping venues in Makati encompass the Power Plant Mall at Rockwell Center, Century City Mall, Ayala Malls Circuit, Cash & Carry Mall, Walter Mart Makati, Makati Central Square, Guadalupe Commercial Center, and Paseo de Magallanes. These varied shopping options accommodate a broad spectrum of consumer interests, from high-end brands to local boutiques.

The cultural environment of Makati is enhanced by its various fine art museums, colonial-era churches, and recreational spaces. The Ayala Museum, a private institution dedicated to fine arts and history, features numerous exhibitions, including the acclaimed “Gold of Ancestors” collection, which displays over one thousand pre-Hispanic golden items. Additional prominent museums in the city comprise the Yuchengco Museum and the Museo ng Makati, each providing distinct perspectives on Philippine art, history, and culture.

The city’s religious legacy is evident in its Spanish-era churches, including Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, and Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church. Contemporary religious edifices such as the Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel and the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park contribute to the city’s architectural diversity. Makati is distinguished by housing the nation’s sole Jewish synagogue, Beth Yaacov, underscoring the city’s multicultural essence.

Makati provides a variety of facilities and locations for sports and recreation enthusiasts. The Manila Golf Club, situated on the southeastern edge of Makati outside Forbes Park, boasts an 18-hole golf course. The neighboring Manila Polo Club is a favored locale for polo aficionados, many of whom belong to the nation’s affluent elite. The Makati Sports Club in Salcedo Village and the Makati Coliseum are notable sporting venues in the city.

The sole professional sports team in Makati, the Makati OKBet Kings, participates in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. The city features contemporary sporting facilities, including the Blue Pitch at Circuit Makati, a versatile stadium that accommodates football matches and functions as the principal venue for the Philippine-American Football League.

The daytime population of Makati exceeds three million on an average working day, as individuals from neighboring regions converge on the city for employment, commerce, and commercial activities. The surge in everyday visitors highlights Makati’s position as a pivotal center of activity in Metro Manila.

In recent years, Makati has encountered threats to its geographical integrity. In 2023, the 10Embo barangays were detached from Makati’s jurisdiction following the judgment on the Makati–Taguig border dispute. This decision resulted in a notable decline in the city’s population, estimated to be approximately 292,743 individuals.