Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 11 times the population of Portugal: 116.79 million people against 10.80 million (2025).
The Philippines' economy is about 40% larger than Portugal's, at $487.09B versus $346.64B.
Per person, Portugal is the wealthier of the two: $32,082 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | Portugal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $487.09B | $346.64B | 2025 | $461.62B / $308.68B |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $32,082 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 2.3% | 2025 | 3.2% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 6.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $1,426 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $1,147 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 10.80 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 10.19 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 46.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 82.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 61% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 92,090 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 117.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 175 Mt | Lower: 36 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 3.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $4.64B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 52,000 | 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 1.9%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.7% in the Philippines and 2.3% in Portugal.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 60 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Portugal: $1,426 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the far younger society: median age 26.1 versus 46.9 years.
Life expectancy is 12.4 years longer in Portugal (82.4 vs 69.9).
Internet adoption is higher in Portugal (88% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 3.7 times the size of Portugal: 342,353 km² versus 92,090 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 117.
Military
The Philippines spends 32% more on defence than Portugal: $6.12B versus $4.64B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The Philippines fields the larger armed forces: 157,000 personnel against 52,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than Portugal?
- The Philippines is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while Portugal covers 92,090 km², so the Philippines is 3.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or Portugal?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 10.80 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than Portugal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Portugal is richer: $32,082 against $4,171. Total GDP tells a different story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $346.64B for Portugal.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or Portugal?
- The Philippines spends more: $6.12B versus $4.64B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).