Updated
Overview
The Philippines has about 70% more people than the United Kingdom: 116.79 million against 69.49 million (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 8.2 times the size of the Philippines', at $4.00T versus $487.09B.
Per person, the United Kingdom is the wealthier of the two: $57,602 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Philippines | United Kingdom | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $487.09B | Higher: $4.00T | 2025 | $461.62B / $3.64T |
| GDP per capita | $4,171 | Higher: $57,602 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 3.9% | 2025 | 3.2% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 89 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $316 | Higher: $3,567 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $145 | Higher: $2,532 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.74 | $7.40 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 116.79 million | 69.49 million | 2025 | 118.28 million / 68.75 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.1 yrs | 40.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.54 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 83% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 67% | Higher: 95% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,353 km² | 242,900 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 341.1/km² | 286.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 175 Mt | 313 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.5 t | 4.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.12B | $81.76B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 157,000 | 153,000 | 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 1.4%.
The United Kingdom runs the hotter price environment: 3.9% inflation versus 1.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 89 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United Kingdom: $3,567 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the far younger society: median age 26.1 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 11.4 years longer in the United Kingdom (81.4 vs 69.9).
The United Kingdom is considerably more urbanized: 83% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in the United Kingdom (95% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Philippines is 41% larger than the United Kingdom: 342,353 km² versus 242,900 km².
Military
The United Kingdom spends 13 times as much on defence as the Philippines: $81.76B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Kingdom carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.3%.
The Philippines fields the larger armed forces: 157,000 personnel against 153,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Philippines bigger than the United Kingdom?
- The Philippines is larger by land area. The Philippines covers 342,353 km² while the United Kingdom covers 242,900 km², so the Philippines is 41% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, the Philippines or the United Kingdom?
- The Philippines has the larger population: 116.79 million versus 69.49 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Philippines richer than the United Kingdom?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Kingdom is richer: $57,602 against $4,171. Total GDP tells the same story: $487.09B for the Philippines versus $4.00T for the United Kingdom.
- Who spends more on their military, the Philippines or the United Kingdom?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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