Updated
Overview
Pakistan has 2.2 times the population of the Philippines: 255.22 million people against 116.79 million (2025).
The Philippines' economy is 20% larger than Pakistan's, at $487.09B versus $407.31B.
Per person, the Philippines is the wealthier of the two: $4,171 against $1,596 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Pakistan | Philippines | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $407.31B | Higher: $487.09B | 2025 | $373.07B / $461.62B |
| GDP per capita | $1,596 | Higher: $4,171 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.7% | Higher: 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.5% | Lower: 1.7% | 2025 | 12.6% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | 5.4% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 24 | 33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $95 | Higher: $316 | 2025 / 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $133 | Higher: $145 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.89 | $2.74 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 255.22 million | 116.79 million | 2025 | 257.05 million / 118.28 million |
| Population growth | 1.6% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 20.6 yrs | 26.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.50 | 1.88 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 67.8 yrs | Higher: 69.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 40% | 56% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 57% | Higher: 67% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 881,912 km² | 342,353 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 289.4/km² | 341.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 180 Mt | Lower: 175 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.7 t | 1.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $10.17B | $6.12B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.7% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 943,000 | 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 3.7%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.5% in Pakistan and 1.7% in the Philippines.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Pakistan: a price level of 24 versus 33 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Philippines: $316 against $95 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Pakistan is the younger society: median age 20.6 versus 26.1 years.
Life expectancy is 2.1 years longer in the Philippines (69.9 vs 67.8).
The Philippines is considerably more urbanized: 56% of people live in cities, against 40%.
Internet adoption is higher in the Philippines (67% vs 57% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Pakistan is 2.6 times the size of the Philippines: 881,912 km² versus 342,353 km².
Military
Pakistan spends about 65% more on defence than the Philippines: $10.17B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Pakistan carries the heavier military burden: 2.7% of GDP versus 1.3%.
Pakistan fields the larger armed forces: 943,000 personnel against 157,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Pakistan bigger than the Philippines?
- Pakistan is larger by land area. Pakistan covers 881,912 km² while the Philippines covers 342,353 km², so Pakistan is 2.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Pakistan or the Philippines?
- Pakistan has the larger population: 255.22 million versus 116.79 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Pakistan richer than the Philippines?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Philippines is richer: $4,171 against $1,596. Total GDP tells the same story: $407.31B for Pakistan versus $487.09B for the Philippines.
- Who spends more on their military, Pakistan or the Philippines?
- Pakistan spends more: $10.17B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).