Philippines
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 & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Philippines
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
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
Major Cities
Largest Cities in PhilippinesExplore weather and climate data for cities in Philippines
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Manila
| 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
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
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
Demographics
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Geography
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