Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 26% more people than Iran: 116.79 million against 92.42 million (2025).
The Philippines' economy is 34% larger than Iran's, at $487.09B versus $362.68B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | Iran | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $487.09B | $362.68B | 2025 | $461.62B / $436.91B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $4,171 | $3,924 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | -2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 42.2% | 2025 | 3.2% / 32.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | — | 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $1,264 | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 92.42 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 89.18 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 34.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.67 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 85% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 1,648,195 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 56.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 175 Mt | 793 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 8.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $7.89B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 650,000 | 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 grew while the other economy contracted: 4.4% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 1.7%.
People and society
The Philippines is the younger society: median age 26.1 versus 34.0 years.
Life expectancy is 7.9 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 69.9).
Iran is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Iran (85% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 79% smaller than Iran: 342,353 km² versus 1,648,195 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 56.
Military
Iran spends 29% more on defence than the Philippines: $7.89B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 157,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than Iran?
- Iran is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while Iran covers 1,648,195 km², so Iran is 4.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or Iran?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 92.42 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than Iran?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Philippines is richer: $4,171 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $362.68B for Iran.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or Iran?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).