Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 5.9 times the population of Chile: 116.79 million people against 19.86 million (2025).
The Philippines' economy is about 35% larger than Chile's, at $487.09B versus $357.37B.
Per person, Chile is the wealthier of the two: $17,995 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $487.09B | $357.37B | 2025 | $461.62B / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 4.2% | 2025 | 3.2% / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $1,024 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $530 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 175 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 114,000 | 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 2.5%.
Chile runs the hotter price environment: 4.2% inflation versus 1.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 48 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Chile: $1,024 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the far younger society: median age 26.1 versus 36.9 years.
Life expectancy is 11.4 years longer in Chile (81.4 vs 69.9).
Chile is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Chile (96% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 55% smaller than Chile: 342,353 km² versus 756,102 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 26.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $6.12B (the Philippines) and $5.11B (Chile).
The Philippines fields the larger armed forces: 157,000 personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than Chile?
- Chile is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so Chile is 2.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or Chile?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Chile is richer: $17,995 against $4,171. Total GDP tells a different story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or Chile?
- The Philippines spends more: $6.12B versus $5.11B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).