Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 12 times the population of Israel: 116.79 million people against 10.12 million (2025).
Israel's economy is 25% larger than the Philippines', at $610.78B versus $487.09B.
Per person, Israel is the wealthier of the two: $60,337 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | Israel | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $487.09B | Higher: $610.78B | 2025 | $461.62B / $540.38B |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $60,337 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 3.0% | 2025 | 3.2% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 101 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $3,383 | 2023 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $1,589 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | $7.67 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 10.12 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 9.40 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 29.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 2.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 20,770 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 487.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 175 Mt | Lower: 53 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 5.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $46.51B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 8.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 178,000 | 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 3.0% in Israel.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Israel: $3,383 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the younger society: median age 26.1 versus 29.2 years.
Life expectancy is 13.3 years longer in Israel (83.2 vs 69.9).
Israel is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Israel (88% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 16 times the size of Israel: 342,353 km² versus 20,770 km².
Military
Israel spends 7.6 times as much on defence as the Philippines: $46.51B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 1.3%.
Israel fields the larger armed forces: 178,000 personnel against 157,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than Israel?
- The Philippines is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while Israel covers 20,770 km², so the Philippines is 16 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or Israel?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 10.12 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than Israel?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Israel is richer: $60,337 against $4,171. Total GDP tells the same story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $610.78B for Israel.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or Israel?
- Israel spends more: $46.51B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).