Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 6.1 times the population of Romania: 116.79 million people against 19.02 million (2025).
The Philippines' economy is 14% larger than Romania's, at $487.09B versus $428.68B.
Per person, Romania is the wealthier of the two: $22,538 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $487.09B | $428.68B | 2025 | $461.62B / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 7.2% | 2025 | 3.2% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $1,722 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $906 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 175 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 128,000 | 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 0.7%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 1.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 44 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the far younger society: median age 26.1 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 6.5 years longer in Romania (76.5 vs 69.9).
Internet adoption is higher in Romania (91% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 44% larger than Romania: 342,353 km² versus 238,391 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 80.
Military
Romania spends about 40% more on defence than the Philippines: $8.72B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Romania carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.3%.
The Philippines fields the larger armed forces: 157,000 personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than Romania?
- The Philippines is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so the Philippines is 44% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or Romania?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Romania is richer: $22,538 against $4,171. Total GDP tells a different story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or Romania?
- Romania spends more: $8.72B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).