Updated
Overview
India has 13 times the population of the Philippines: 1.46 billion people against 116.79 million (2025).
India's economy is 8.1 times the size of the Philippines', at $3.96T versus $487.09B.
Per person, the Philippines is the wealthier of the two: $4,171 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Philippines | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $487.09B | 2025 | $3.91T / $461.62B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $4,171 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 1.7% | 2025 | 5.0% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $316 | 2025 / 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $145 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $2.74 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 116.79 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 118.28 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 26.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.88 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 72.2 yrs | 69.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 56% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 70% | 67% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 342,353 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 341.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 175 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 2.2 t | Lower: 1.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $6.12B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 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
India is growing much faster: 7.6% annual GDP growth versus 4.4%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 1.7% in the Philippines.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 33 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Philippines: $316 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the younger society: median age 26.1 versus 28.8 years.
Life expectancy is 2.3 years longer in India (72.2 vs 69.9).
The Philippines is considerably more urbanized: 56% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Geography
By land area, India is 9.6 times the size of the Philippines: 3,287,590 km² versus 342,353 km².
Military
India spends 14 times as much on defence as the Philippines: $86.13B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, India carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.3%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 157,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than the Philippines?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while the Philippines covers 342,353 km², so India is 9.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or the Philippines?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 116.79 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than the Philippines?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Philippines is richer: $4,171 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $487.09B for the Philippines.
- Who spends more on their military, India or the Philippines?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).