Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 2.8 times the population of Canada: 116.79 million people against 41.65 million (2025).
Canada's economy is 4.8 times the size of the Philippines', at $2.32T versus $487.09B.
Per person, Canada is the wealthier of the two: $55,698 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | Canada | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $487.09B | Higher: $2.32T | 2025 | $461.62B / $2.24T |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $55,698 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 1.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 2.1% | 2025 | 3.2% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 6.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 83 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $4,121 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $2,106 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | $5.81 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 41.65 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 39.19 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 40.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 82.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 83% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 9,984,670 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 4.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 175 Mt | 533 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 13.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $29.35B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 72,000 | 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 1.7%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.7% in the Philippines and 2.1% in Canada.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 83 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Canada: $4,121 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the far younger society: median age 26.1 versus 40.6 years.
Life expectancy is 12.2 years longer in Canada (82.1 vs 69.9).
Canada is considerably more urbanized: 83% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Canada (94% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is only about 1/29 the size of Canada: 342,353 km² versus 9,984,670 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 4.
Military
Canada spends 4.8 times as much on defence as the Philippines: $29.35B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The Philippines fields the larger armed forces: 157,000 personnel against 72,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than Canada?
- Canada is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while Canada covers 9,984,670 km², so Canada is 29 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or Canada?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 41.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than Canada?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Canada is richer: $55,698 against $4,171. Total GDP tells the same story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $2.32T for Canada.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or Canada?
- Canada spends more: $29.35B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).