Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 9.8 times the population of Belgium: 116.79 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Belgium's economy is about 50% larger than the Philippines', at $725.47B versus $487.09B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $487.09B | Higher: $725.47B | 2025 | $461.62B / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 2.5% | 2025 | 3.2% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $7,044 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 175 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 24,000 | 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 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.7% in the Philippines and 2.5% in Belgium.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the far younger society: median age 26.1 versus 41.9 years.
Life expectancy is 12.4 years longer in Belgium (82.3 vs 69.9).
Belgium is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Belgium (96% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 11 times the size of Belgium: 342,353 km² versus 30,528 km².
Military
Belgium spends about 40% more on defence than the Philippines: $8.56B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The Philippines fields the larger armed forces: 157,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than Belgium?
- The Philippines is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so the Philippines is 11 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or Belgium?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $4,171. Total GDP tells the same story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or Belgium?
- Belgium spends more: $8.56B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).