Updated
Overview
The Philippines has about 80% more people than South Africa: 116.79 million against 64.75 million (2025).
The Philippines' economy is 14% larger than South Africa's, at $487.09B versus $427.18B.
Per person, South Africa is the wealthier of the two: $6,598 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $487.09B | $427.18B | 2025 | $461.62B / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 3.2% | 2025 | 3.2% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $485 | 2023 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $261 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 64.75 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 69.9 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 78% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 175 Mt | 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 89,000 | 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 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.7% in the Philippines and 3.2% in South Africa.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Africa: $485 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the younger society: median age 26.1 versus 28.7 years.
Life expectancy is 3.6 years longer in the Philippines (69.9 vs 66.3).
Internet adoption is higher in South Africa (78% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 72% smaller than South Africa: 342,353 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 53.
Military
The Philippines spends 2.2 times as much on defence as South Africa: $6.12B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The Philippines fields the larger armed forces: 157,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than South Africa?
- South Africa is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so South Africa is 3.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or South Africa?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Africa is richer: $6,598 against $4,171. Total GDP tells a different story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or South Africa?
- The Philippines spends more: $6.12B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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