Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 3.2 times the population of Saudi Arabia: 116.79 million people against 36.97 million (2025).
Saudi Arabia's economy is 2.6 times the size of the Philippines', at $1.28T versus $487.09B.
Per person, Saudi Arabia is the wealthier of the two: $34,537 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | Saudi Arabia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $487.09B | Higher: $1.28T | 2025 | $461.62B / $1.24T |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $34,537 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 4.4% | Higher: 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 2.1% | 2025 | 3.2% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $1,799 | 2023 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $1,067 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | $5.06 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 36.97 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 36.54 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 2.29 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 79.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 85% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 2,149,690 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 175 Mt | 692 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 20.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $80.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 7.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 282,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (4.4% for the Philippines, 4.5% for Saudi Arabia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.7% in the Philippines and 2.1% in Saudi Arabia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Saudi Arabia: $1,799 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the younger society: median age 26.1 versus 29.6 years.
Life expectancy is 9.0 years longer in Saudi Arabia (79.0 vs 69.9).
Saudi Arabia is considerably more urbanized: 85% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Saudi Arabia (100% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 84% smaller than Saudi Arabia: 342,353 km² versus 2,149,690 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 17.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends 13 times as much on defence as the Philippines: $80.33B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 1.3%.
Saudi Arabia fields the larger armed forces: 282,000 personnel against 157,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km², so Saudi Arabia is 6.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or Saudi Arabia?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 36.97 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than Saudi Arabia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Saudi Arabia is richer: $34,537 against $4,171. Total GDP tells the same story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $1.28T for Saudi Arabia.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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