Updated
Overview
The Philippines has about 70% more people than France: 116.79 million against 68.72 million (2025).
France's economy is 6.9 times the size of the Philippines', at $3.37T versus $487.09B.
Per person, France is the wealthier of the two: $48,986 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | France | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $487.09B | Higher: $3.37T | 2025 | $461.62B / $3.16T |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $48,986 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.7% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 3.2% / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 7.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 77 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $5,024 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $2,036 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 68.72 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 68.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 643,801 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 106.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 175 Mt | 264 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $64.68B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 304,000 | 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 0.8%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.7% in the Philippines and 0.9% in France.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 77 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the far younger society: median age 26.1 versus 42.3 years.
Life expectancy is 13.0 years longer in France (83.0 vs 69.9).
France is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in France (89% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 47% smaller than France: 342,353 km² versus 643,801 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 107.
Military
France spends 11 times as much on defence as the Philippines: $64.68B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
France fields the larger armed forces: 304,000 personnel against 157,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than France?
- France is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while France covers 643,801 km², so France is 88% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or France?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 68.72 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than France?
- Measured by GDP per capita, France is richer: $48,986 against $4,171. Total GDP tells the same story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $3.37T for France.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or France?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).