Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 19 times the population of Denmark: 116.79 million people against 6.01 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $487.09B for the Philippines and $462.53B for Denmark.
Per person, Denmark is the wealthier of the two: $76,970 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | Denmark | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $487.09B | $462.53B | 2025 | $461.62B / $429.46B |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $76,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 1.9% | 2025 | 3.2% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 5.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 92 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $6,992 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | $7.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 6.01 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 6.05 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 43,094 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 139.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 175 Mt | Lower: 28 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $9.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 15,000 | 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 2.9%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.7% in the Philippines and 1.9% in Denmark.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 92 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Denmark: $6,992 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the far younger society: median age 26.1 versus 41.3 years.
Life expectancy is 12.3 years longer in Denmark (82.3 vs 69.9).
Denmark is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Denmark (100% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 7.9 times the size of Denmark: 342,353 km² versus 43,094 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 139.
Military
Denmark spends about 65% more on defence than the Philippines: $9.96B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Denmark carries the heavier military burden: 2.4% of GDP versus 1.3%.
The Philippines fields the larger armed forces: 157,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than Denmark?
- The Philippines is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while Denmark covers 43,094 km², so the Philippines is 7.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or Denmark?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 6.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than Denmark?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Denmark is richer: $76,970 against $4,171. Total GDP tells a different story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $462.53B for Denmark.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or Denmark?
- Denmark spends more: $9.96B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).