Updated
Overview
The Philippines has 10 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 116.79 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
The United Arab Emirates' economy is 13% larger than the Philippines', at $552.32B versus $487.09B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $487.09B | Higher: $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $461.62B / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.7% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 3.2% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 2.2% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | — | 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 175 Mt | 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 63,000 | 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, 4.0% for the United Arab Emirates).
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.7% in the Philippines and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The Philippines is the younger society: median age 26.1 versus 31.6 years.
Life expectancy is 13.1 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 69.9).
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 4.1 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 342,353 km² versus 83,600 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 138.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 3.7 times as much on defence as the Philippines: $22.76B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 1.3%.
The Philippines fields the larger armed forces: 157,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- The Philippines is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so the Philippines is 4.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or the United Arab Emirates?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $4,171. Total GDP tells the same story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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