Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 4.2 times the population of Australia: 116.79 million people against 27.61 million (2025).
Australia's economy is 3.7 times the size of the Philippines', at $1.80T versus $487.09B.
Per person, Australia is the wealthier of the two: $65,130 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | Australia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $487.09B | Higher: $1.80T | 2025 | $461.62B / $1.75T |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $65,130 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 2.9% | 2025 | 3.2% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 4.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 90 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $4,436 | 2023 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $2,655 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | $5.95 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 27.61 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 27.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 38.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 7,692,024 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 3.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 175 Mt | 387 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 14.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $33.82B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 60,000 | 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 much faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 1.4%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.7% in the Philippines and 2.9% in Australia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 90 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Australia: $4,436 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the far younger society: median age 26.1 versus 38.3 years.
Life expectancy is 13.1 years longer in Australia (83.1 vs 69.9).
Australia is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Australia (96% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is only about 1/22 the size of Australia: 342,353 km² versus 7,692,024 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 4.
Military
Australia spends 5.5 times as much on defence as the Philippines: $33.82B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The Philippines fields the larger armed forces: 157,000 personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than Australia?
- Australia is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while Australia covers 7,692,024 km², so Australia is 22 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or Australia?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 27.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than Australia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $4,171. Total GDP tells the same story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $1.80T for Australia.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or Australia?
- Australia spends more: $33.82B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).