Updated
Overview
Bangladesh has about 50% more people than the Philippines: 175.69 million against 116.79 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $456.32B for Bangladesh and $487.09B for the Philippines.
Per person, the Philippines is the wealthier of the two: $4,171 against $2,597 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bangladesh | Philippines | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $456.32B | Higher: $487.09B | 2025 | $450.12B / $461.62B |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 | Higher: $4,171 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.5% | Higher: 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.8% | Lower: 1.7% | 2025 | 10.5% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | 3.8% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 25 | 33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $134 | Higher: $316 | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $108 | Higher: $145 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $2.74 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 175.69 million | 116.79 million | 2025 | 174.37 million / 118.28 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.0 yrs | 26.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.11 | 1.88 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 74.9 yrs | 69.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 33% | 56% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 53% | Higher: 67% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 147,570 km² | 342,353 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 1190.5/km² | 341.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 108 Mt | 175 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 1.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.03B | $6.12B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 227,000 | 157,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
The Philippines is growing faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 3.5%.
Bangladesh runs the hotter price environment: 8.8% inflation versus 1.7%.
Average monthly earnings favour the Philippines: $316 against $134 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 26.0 (Bangladesh) and 26.1 (the Philippines).
Life expectancy is 5.0 years longer in Bangladesh (74.9 vs 69.9).
The Philippines is considerably more urbanized: 56% of people live in cities, against 33%.
Internet adoption is higher in the Philippines (67% vs 53% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Bangladesh is 57% smaller than the Philippines: 147,570 km² versus 342,353 km².
Bangladesh is far more densely settled: 1191 people per km² against 341.
Military
The Philippines spends about 50% more on defence than Bangladesh: $6.12B versus $4.03B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Bangladesh fields the larger armed forces: 227,000 personnel against 157,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bangladesh bigger than the Philippines?
- The Philippines is larger by land area. Bangladesh covers 147,570 km² while the Philippines covers 342,353 km², so the Philippines is 2.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Bangladesh or the Philippines?
- Bangladesh has the larger population: 175.69 million versus 116.79 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bangladesh richer than the Philippines?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Philippines is richer: $4,171 against $2,597. Total GDP tells the same story: $456.32B for Bangladesh versus $487.09B for the Philippines.
- Who spends more on their military, Bangladesh or the Philippines?
- The Philippines spends more: $6.12B versus $4.03B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).