#14 in world Asia UN member

Philippines

Manila Asia South-Eastern Asia

The Philippines is a sovereign archipelagic nation in South-Eastern Asia comprising over 7,000 islands known for their rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Current estimates show the country has a population of approximately 118 million people, with an economy that generates a GDP per capita of approximately 4,451 USD.

Where is Philippines?

Philippines

Continent
Asia
Country
Philippines
Coordinates
13.00°, 122.00°

Population Details

Population
118M
Area
342,353 km²
Density per km²
344 / km²
Growth rate
+0.83%
Annual growth
+972.3K people
Daily growth
+2.7K people
World population share
1.45%

Population Trend

Historical series from 1960 to 2026

Start 28M Latest 118M

Population & Social Snapshot

Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Philippines

Age Distribution

0-14 years 33M
15-64 years 78M
65+ years 6.5M

Urbanization

55.5% Urban
65M
Urban 65M
Rural 52M

Health & Education Benchmarks

Life Expectancy at Birth -5%
69.9 years
World avg: 74.0 years
Fertility Rate -20%
1.89 births per woman
World avg: 2.35 births per woman
Infant Mortality Rate +17%
21.7 per 1,000 live births
World avg: 18.6 per 1,000 live births
Literacy Rate (Adults) +12%
98.5 % of adults
World avg: 88.2 % of adults
Internet Users -7%
67.3 % of population
World avg: 72.5 % of population

Demographics

Quick Facts

Capital
Manila
Region
Asia
Area
342,353 km²
Languages
English, Filipino
Currency
Philippine peso (₱)
Timezones
UTC+08:00
UN Member
Yes

Economy

The Philippine economy exhibits strong momentum with an annual GDP growth rate of 5.7%, supported by a robust services sector and resilient domestic consumption. According to the latest data, the nation holds a global GDP rank of 34 out of 212 and a regional rank of 14 in Asia. While the unemployment rate remains low at 2.2%, the country's GDP per capita currently ranks 146th globally and 7th within the South-Eastern Asia subregion. Growth is largely fueled by the business process outsourcing industry, electronics manufacturing, and significant financial contributions from citizens working abroad.

Society

The Philippines maintains an impressive adult literacy rate of 98.5%, which the latest ranking places at 39th out of 170 countries globally. Life expectancy at birth is currently 69.9 years, ranking the nation 152nd out of 215 countries according to recent health statistics. Digital integration is substantial for the region, with 67.3% of the population identified as internet users, placing the country 141st in the global ranking for internet penetration.

Climate & Environment

As a tropical archipelago, the Philippines experiences high humidity and temperatures that typically average between 27 °C (81 °F) and 32 °C (90 °F). The weather patterns are defined by a wet season characterized by heavy monsoon rains and a dry season, with the country being one of the most typhoon-prone regions in the world due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Government & Politics

Government Type
Presidential republic
Independence
1946-07-04 (United States)

The Philippines is a presidential republic with a government structure modeled largely on the American system, featuring three independent and co-equal branches. The executive branch is led by the President, currently Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who serves as both the head of state and head of government for a single six-year term. The legislative power is vested in a bicameral Congress, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The judicial system is headed by the Supreme Court. Political life is characterized by a multi-party system, though it is often driven by prominent individual leadership and local coalitions. Following the 1987 Constitution, the nation has emphasized democratic institutional stability and decentralization, notably through the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to address long-standing regional aspirations.

History

The history of the Philippines is defined by its strategic maritime location and centuries of colonial influence. Before the arrival of Europeans, the archipelago was home to various independent chiefdoms and sultanates engaged in regional trade. Spanish colonization began after the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in March 1521, leading to over 300 years of rule that deeply integrated Roman Catholicism into the national identity. A nationalist revolution culminated in a declaration of independence from Spain on 12 June 1898, but the country was subsequently ceded to the United States following the Spanish-American War. After a period of American administration and a harrowing Japanese occupation during World War II, the Philippines achieved full independence on 4 July 1946. The post-war era saw periods of both economic promise and political upheaval, most notably the martial law period under Ferdinand Marcos Sr. which ended with the non-violent People Power Revolution in February 1986. Since then, the country has focused on strengthening democratic processes and fostering modern economic development as a key member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Notable Facts

  • Mount Apo is the highest point in the country, reaching an elevation of 2954 m (9692 ft).
  • The nation features one of the longest coastlines in the world, stretching approximately 36289 km (22549 mi).
  • The Philippines is a linguistically diverse nation with two official languages, English and Filipino, and a high literacy rate of approximately 98.5%.
  • The archipelago consists of over 7,000 islands with an estimated 2026 population projected to reach approximately 118 million people.

Geography

Highest Point
Mount Apo (2,954 m)
Lowest Point
Philippine Sea (0 m)
Coastline
36,289 km

Explore weather and climate data for cities in Philippines

Monthly averages for Manila

January best
Fair
Temp
30°C / 25°C
Feels Like
32°C / 28°C
Rain
7days (51 mm) Good
Sun
9.5h Good
Humidity
76% Humid
February best
Good
Temp
30°C / 25°C
Feels Like
33°C / 28°C
Rain
4days (36 mm) Good
Sun
10.4h Excellent
Humidity
73% Muggy
March
Fair
Temp
32°C / 26°C
Feels Like
36°C / 30°C
Rain
3days (12 mm) Excellent
Sun
11.5h Excellent
Humidity
70% Muggy
April
Poor
Temp
34°C / 27°C
Feels Like
39°C / 31°C
Rain
3days (33 mm) Excellent
Sun
11.5h Excellent
Humidity
68% Muggy
May
Poor
Temp
34°C / 28°C
Feels Like
40°C / 33°C
Rain
13days (125 mm) Wet
Sun
11h Excellent
Humidity
72% Muggy
June
Wet
Temp
32°C / 27°C
Feels Like
39°C / 32°C
Rain
24days (203 mm) Wet
Sun
9.9h Good
Humidity
78% Humid
July
Wet
Temp
31°C / 27°C
Feels Like
37°C / 32°C
Rain
28days (350 mm) Wet
Sun
8.7h Good
Humidity
82% Humid
August
Wet
Temp
31°C / 26°C
Feels Like
37°C / 32°C
Rain
28days (274 mm) Wet
Sun
8.8h Good
Humidity
83% Humid
September
Wet
Temp
31°C / 26°C
Feels Like
37°C / 31°C
Rain
25days (290 mm) Wet
Sun
8.1h Good
Humidity
83% Humid
October
Wet
Temp
31°C / 26°C
Feels Like
37°C / 31°C
Rain
24days (243 mm) Wet
Sun
8.4h Good
Humidity
81% Humid
November
Poor
Temp
31°C / 26°C
Feels Like
36°C / 31°C
Rain
11days (129 mm) Wet
Sun
9.6h Good
Humidity
79% Humid
December best
Fair
Temp
30°C / 26°C
Feels Like
34°C / 30°C
Rain
12days (152 mm) Wet
Sun
8.7h Good
Humidity
79% Humid
Month Temp Feels Like Rain Sun Humidity Status Details
January best 30°C / 25°C 32°C / 28°C 7days (51 mm) Good 9.5h Good 76% Humid Fair View Details
February best 30°C / 25°C 33°C / 28°C 4days (36 mm) Good 10.4h Excellent 73% Muggy Good View Details
March 32°C / 26°C 36°C / 30°C 3days (12 mm) Excellent 11.5h Excellent 70% Muggy Fair View Details
April 34°C / 27°C 39°C / 31°C 3days (33 mm) Excellent 11.5h Excellent 68% Muggy Poor View Details
May 34°C / 28°C 40°C / 33°C 13days (125 mm) Wet 11h Excellent 72% Muggy Poor View Details
June 32°C / 27°C 39°C / 32°C 24days (203 mm) Wet 9.9h Good 78% Humid Wet View Details
July 31°C / 27°C 37°C / 32°C 28days (350 mm) Wet 8.7h Good 82% Humid Wet View Details
August 31°C / 26°C 37°C / 32°C 28days (274 mm) Wet 8.8h Good 83% Humid Wet View Details
September 31°C / 26°C 37°C / 31°C 25days (290 mm) Wet 8.1h Good 83% Humid Wet View Details
October 31°C / 26°C 37°C / 31°C 24days (243 mm) Wet 8.4h Good 81% Humid Wet View Details
November 31°C / 26°C 36°C / 31°C 11days (129 mm) Wet 9.6h Good 79% Humid Poor View Details
December best 30°C / 26°C 34°C / 30°C 12days (152 mm) Wet 8.7h Good 79% Humid Fair View Details

Temperature

42°C 36°C 30°C 24°C 18°C JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
HighLow

Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 30°C / 25°C . Feb: 30°C / 25°C . Mar: 32°C / 26°C . Apr: 34°C / 27°C . May: 34°C / 28°C . Jun: 32°C / 27°C . Jul: 31°C / 27°C . Aug: 31°C / 26°C . Sep: 31°C / 26°C . Oct: 31°C / 26°C . Nov: 31°C / 26°C . Dec: 30°C / 26°C .

Rainfall

0 mm 60 mm 120 mm 180 mm 240 mm 300 mm JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rainfall

Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 51 mm. Feb: 36 mm. Mar: 12 mm. Apr: 33 mm. May: 125 mm. Jun: 203 mm. Jul: 350 mm. Aug: 274 mm. Sep: 290 mm. Oct: 243 mm. Nov: 129 mm. Dec: 152 mm.

Frequently Asked Questions

The population of Philippines is approximately 118M (2024).

The capital of Philippines is Manila.

Philippines's GDP per capita is $4.5K (2024).

Life expectancy in Philippines is 69.95 years (2024).

Philippines covers 342,353 km² (132,183 sq mi).

Philippines is densely populated, with 344 people per km² — above the global average of 60.

Philippines's population is growing steadily at 0.8% per year, in line with global averages.

Based on GDP per capita, Philippines falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $4.5K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Philippines's intentional homicide rate is 4.3 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.

Philippines has 2 official languages: English, Filipino.

Philippines uses the Philippine peso (₱) as its sole official currency.

Philippines is an island nation and shares no land borders.

The best months to visit Philippines are January, February, December, based on climate data for the capital.

Recent estimates indicate that the Philippines has a population of approximately 118 million people. This makes it the 14th most populous country in the world and the 2nd largest in South-Eastern Asia. The population continues to grow at an annual rate of approximately 0.83%.

The current estimated GDP per capita for the Philippines is 4,451 USD. In global terms, the latest ranking places the country 146th out of 212 nations for this economic indicator. Within the South-Eastern Asia subregion, the Philippines ranks 7th out of 11 countries.

Yes, the Philippines boasts a very high adult literacy rate of 98.5%. This puts the country in a strong position globally, holding the rank of 39 out of 170 nations. This high literacy rate supports a skilled workforce that is proficient in both English and Filipino.

The latest available data shows that the unemployment rate in the Philippines is 2.2%. In the latest global rankings, the country's unemployment rank is 166 out of 186 nations when ordered from lowest to highest rate. This reflects a generally high level of labor market participation.

Approximately 67.3% of the Philippine population uses the internet, according to recent data. This penetration rate earns the country a global rank of 141 out of 212 nations. Digital connectivity remains a key focus for development across the archipelago's many islands.

Life expectancy at birth in the Philippines is approximately 69.9 years. This statistic ranks the country 152nd out of 215 nations globally. The government continues to implement public health programs aimed at increasing longevity and improving healthcare access in rural areas.

The Philippines encompasses a total land area of 342,353 km² (132,183 sq mi) and features a long coastline of 36,289 km (22,549 mi). Its geography is entirely archipelagic, consisting of thousands of islands, which provides the nation with abundant natural resources like nickel, cobalt, and gold.

The estimated 2026 population of the Philippines is approximately 118 million. This figure is based on a current estimate projected from the official 2024 population of 115,843,670. The country continues to grow at an annual rate of 0.83%, adding thousands of new residents to the total count every day.

The Philippines currently ranks 14 of 215 countries and territories worldwide in terms of total population. In its regional context, it is the 7th most populous nation in Asia and the 2nd largest in South-Eastern Asia, making it a significant demographic force in the Pacific region.

The estimated 2026 population density is 394.9 people per km² (1,023 per sq mi). This places the Philippines 29 of 215 globally for density. The concentration of people is highest in urbanized regions, particularly around the capital, Manila, which remains one of the world's most densely populated metropolitan areas.

The Philippine population is still growing, with an annual growth rate of 0.83%. While the rate has slowed considerably from historical peaks, recent data indicates a net increase of approximately 2,620 people every day. This growth is driven by the country's 5,044 daily births exceeding its 2,015 daily deaths.

The latest fertility rate in the Philippines is 1.89 births per woman. This is a significant decrease from previous decades and is now below the replacement level of 2.1. This shift is attributed to better access to education, family planning services, and the country's ongoing transition toward a more urbanized economy.

Current estimates show that 55.5% of the Philippine population lives in urban areas. This urbanization rank is 140 of 215 worldwide. The trend toward city living is driven by the search for employment in the service, manufacturing, and technology sectors, which are heavily concentrated in major metropolitan centers.

All Indicators

Explore Philippines's data across 50+ indicators

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