Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 2.0 times the population of Italy: 116.79 million people against 58.92 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 5.2 times the size of the Philippines', at $2.55T versus $487.09B.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | Italy | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $487.09B | Higher: $2.55T | 2025 | $461.62B / $2.37T |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $43,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.7% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | 3.2% / 1.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 6.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 69 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $3,994 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 58.92 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 60.92 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 48.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 301,336 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 195.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 175 Mt | 302 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 5.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $37.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 338,000 | 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 0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.7% in the Philippines and 1.5% in Italy.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the far younger society: median age 26.1 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 14.0 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 69.9).
Italy is considerably more urbanized: 70% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Italy (89% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 14% larger than Italy: 342,353 km² versus 301,336 km².
Military
Italy spends 6.2 times as much on defence as the Philippines: $37.96B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 157,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than Italy?
- The Philippines is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while Italy covers 301,336 km², so the Philippines is 14% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or Italy?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 58.92 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than Italy?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $4,171. Total GDP tells the same story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $2.55T for Italy.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or Italy?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).