Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 2.5 times the population of Argentina: 116.79 million people against 45.85 million (2025).
Argentina's economy is about 40% larger than the Philippines', at $683.10B versus $487.09B.
Per person, Argentina is the wealthier of the two: $14,898 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | Argentina | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $487.09B | Higher: $683.10B | 2025 | $461.62B / $633.27B |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $14,898 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 219.9% | 2025 / 2024 | 3.2% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 7.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $811 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $297 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | $5.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 45.85 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 45.42 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 32.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 77.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 90% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 2,780,400 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 16.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 175 Mt | Lower: 171 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $4.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 0.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 103,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (4.4% for the Philippines, 4.4% for Argentina).
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 1.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 46 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Argentina: $811 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the younger society: median age 26.1 versus 32.9 years.
Life expectancy is 7.6 years longer in Argentina (77.5 vs 69.9).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Argentina (90% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 88% smaller than Argentina: 342,353 km² versus 2,780,400 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 16.
Military
The Philippines spends about 45% more on defence than Argentina: $6.12B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The Philippines fields the larger armed forces: 157,000 personnel against 103,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than Argentina?
- Argentina is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while Argentina covers 2,780,400 km², so Argentina is 8.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or Argentina?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 45.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than Argentina?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Argentina is richer: $14,898 against $4,171. Total GDP tells the same story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $683.10B for Argentina.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or Argentina?
- The Philippines spends more: $6.12B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).