People & economy

Philippines: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Philippines: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Population & Geography

Population
106,651,922
#13 of 197 countries
Area
300,000 km²
#73 of 248 countries
Density
355.5 / km²
#38 of 245 countries

Philippines has a population of 106,651,922 spread across 300,000 km², giving it an average density of 355.5 people per km². It ranks among the 20 most populous countries in the world. This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Demographics

Median Age
27.1
Life Expectancy
70.8 yrs
Literacy Rate
98.5%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Philippines is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 35% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here: accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$3,804
Cost of Living
35% of US
Inflation
6.0%
Inequality
39.3
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$10,400
Unemployment
2.2%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 3.5% of Philippines's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$2,769,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
3.5%
Outbound Tourists
1,483,000
Air Passengers
41,501,834
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Philippines there are 0.79 doctors per 1,000 people, below the global average. Good travel insurance with medical coverage is advisable.

Physicians
0.79/1k
Hospital Beds
0.97/1k
Health Spend
$194/person
Infant Mortality
22.1/1k
Immunization
80%
Safe Drinking Water
95.9%
Basic Sanitation
87.2%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Philippines, 84% of the population uses the internet, so expect WiFi in most hotels, cafes and public spaces. There are 117 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
83.8%
Mobile Subs
117/100
Broadband
6.5/100
Electricity Access
98.0%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data