Country exposure · PH
Philippines
East N Southeast Asia · Manila · presidential republic
What Philippines means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.
$17.8B
U.S. imports, 2025
+25.5%
change in one year
$9.2B
U.S. exports, 2025
118M
Population
$461.6B
GDP
In your house
What you buy that Philippines makes
America bought $17.8B in goods from Philippines in 2025 — up 25.5% in a single year. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.
Computer accessories
keyboards, drives, computer parts
$4.0B22.7%
Generators, accessories
$1.9B10.5%
Semiconductors
semiconductors and chips
$1.8B9.9%
Telecommunications equipment
phones, routers, networking gear
$1.2B6.7%
Other parts and accessories of vehicles
car parts and accessories
$1.0B5.9%
Cell phones and other household goods, n.e.c.
cell phones and home electronics
$874M4.9%
Electric apparatus
$871M4.9%
Food oils, oilseeds
$749M4.2%
Apparel, textiles, nonwool or cotton
synthetic and performance apparel
$405M2.3%
Fruits, frozen juices
fruit and frozen juices
$382M2.1%
2026 so far (through April): $7.7B in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).
The other direction
What America sells to Philippines
$9.2B in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.
Semiconductors
$1.5Bsemiconductors and chips
Soybeans
$634Mmeat at the counter
Wheat
$630Mgreen coffee for roasters
Meat, poultry, etc.
$534MAnimal feeds, n.e.c.
$513MCivilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts
$493MTelecommunications equipment
$468Mphones, routers, networking gear
Computer accessories
$407Mkeyboards, drives, computer parts
Cell phones and other household goods, n.e.c.
$400Mcell phones and home electronics
Where you stand
U.S. tariff posture toward Philippines
The Philippines reached a trade deal on July 22, 2025 during President Marcos's White House visit, settling its reciprocal rate at 19% (effective August 7) — just below the 20% Trump had threatened, though above the 17% set in April — in exchange for zero tariffs on U.S. goods and commitments on digital trade, IP, labor, and security cooperation. Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions, Feb 20, 2026) terminated the IEEPA reciprocal duties, and Proclamation 11012 replaced it with a 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge effective February 24, 2026. The Philippines has no Section 232 steel/aluminum exposure.
Reciprocal tariff (assigned — terminated)
17%
The rate this country was assigned under the EO 14257 reciprocal Annex — no longer in force. The Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs and they were terminated February 24, 2026 (EO 14389), replaced by a universal ~10% Section 122 surcharge. See the timeline below for the current effective rate.
Policy in motion
Tariff status: a moving target
U.S. tariff policy toward Philippines has changed 5 times since 2025. This page tracks it.
2026-02-24
IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122
In effectExecutive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties effective February 24, 2026, replacing the Philippines' 19% reciprocal rate with a 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge under Proclamation 11012 (capped at 150 days).
91 FR 9437 →2025-08-07
19% reciprocal rate takes effect for the Philippines
In effectExecutive Order 14326 set the post-pause Annex I reciprocal rates; the Philippines' rate was set at 19% effective for goods entered on or after August 7, 2025 — among the lowest in ASEAN.
90 FR 37963 →2025-07-22
U.S.-Philippines trade deal sets rate at 19%
AgreementDuring President Marcos's White House visit, the two sides reached a deal setting the Philippines' reciprocal rate at 19% — below the 20% threatened but above the 17% set in April — in exchange for zero tariffs on U.S. goods and commitments on digital trade, IP, labor, and security cooperation.
Source ↗2025-04-10
Elevated reciprocal rates paused to 10% for 90 days
In effectExecutive Order 14266 suspended the higher country-specific reciprocal rates — including the Philippines' 17% — back to the 10% baseline for 90 days, after which Trump threatened a 20% rate from August 1.
90 FR 15625 →2025-04-05
Reciprocal tariff regime begins — Philippines assigned 17%
In effectExecutive Order 14257 imposed a 10% universal reciprocal duty effective April 5 and a 17% country-specific rate for the Philippines scheduled to take effect April 9 under Annex I.
90 FR 15041 →
Made for America
What Philippines makes for America
Philippines is a direct U.S. source of 12 essential goods Americans rely on — the items themselves, shipped finished off the line.
digital
7% of U.S.Memory and storage chips
$1.2B to the U.S.
materials
1% of U.S.Auto parts and repairs
$996M to the U.S.
digital
1% of U.S.Fiber optic cables and networking
$900M to the U.S.
digital
8% of U.S.Specialty chips
$541M to the U.S.
materials
1% of U.S.Clothing and apparel
$507M to the U.S.
home
4% of U.S.Luggage, handbags & travel goods
$433M to the U.S.
digital
4% of U.S.Printers & peripherals
$431M to the U.S.
home
7% of U.S.Personal care and hygiene
$365M to the U.S.
materials
2% of U.S.Copper and electrical wiring
$294M to the U.S.
digital
1% of U.S.Semiconductors and chips
$277M to the U.S.
home
9% of U.S.Vacuums & floor care
$272M to the U.S.
materials
1% of U.S.Tires
$248M to the U.S.
Go deeper
The supply chain view
Philippines sits upstream of 24 essential American goods through 12 tracked inputs.
agricultural
85%Tea-Bag Filter Paper (Abaca / Manila Hemp)
agricultural
12%Palm Kernel / Coconut Fatty Alcohols
agricultural
10%Vegetable Oil Blend (Palm Olein, Soy, Coconut, Sunflower)
manufactured
8%Sunglass Lens Blank (CR-39/PC/Nylon)
manufactured
7%Activated carbon (GAC and carbon block)
manufactured
7%IGBT Modules (HVAC inverter drives)
Reference
The country itself
East N Southeast Asia · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.
The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. Led by Emilio AGUINALDO, the Filipinos conducted an insurgency against US rule from 1899-1902, although some fighting continued in outlying islands as late as 1913. In 1935, the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. The islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. Twenty-one years of authoritarian rule under Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Several coup attempts hampered her presidency, and progress on political stability and economic development faltered until Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. The US closed its last military bases on the islands the same year. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. His vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, succeded him in 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected president in 2004. Corruption allegations marred her presidency, but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction after the 2008 global financial crisis. Benigno AQUINO III was elected as president in 2010, followed by Rodrigo DUTERTE in 2016. During his term, DUTERTE pursued a controversial drug war that garnered international criticism for alleged human rights abuses. Ferdinand MARCOS, Jr. was elected president in 2022 with the largest popular vote in a presidential election since his father's ouster. For decades, the country has been challenged by armed ethnic separatists, communist rebels, and Islamic terrorist groups, particularly in the southern islands and remote areas of Luzon.
Geography
- Location
- Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
- Area
- 300,000 sq km
- Climate
- tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
- Terrain
- mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
- Natural resources
- timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
- Coastline
- 36,289 km
- Natural hazards
- astride typhoon belt, usually affected by several cyclonic storms each year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Taal (311 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (2,462 m), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 and forced over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo, and Ragang; see note 2 under "Geography - note"
People & society
- Population
- 118,277,063 (2024 est.)
- Nationality
- Filipino(s)
- Ethnic groups
- Tagalog 26%, Bisaya/Binisaya 14.3%, Ilocano 8%, Cebuano 8%, Illonggo 7.9%, Bikol/Bicol 6.5%, Waray 3.8%, Kapampangan 3%, Maguindanao 1.9%, Pangasinan 1.9%, other local ethnicities 18.5%, foreign ethnicities 0.2% (2020 est.)
- Languages
- Tagalog 39.9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 16%, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo 7.3%, Ilocano 7.1%, Cebuano 6.5%, Bikol/Bicol 3.9%, Waray 2.6%, Kapampangan 2.4%, Maguindanao 1.4%, Pangasinan/Panggalato 1.3%, other languages/dialects 11.2%, unspecified 0.4% (2020 est.)
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 78.8%, Muslim 6.4%, Iglesia ni Cristo 2.6%, other Christian 3.9%, other 8.2%, none/unspecified <0.1 (2020 est.)
- Median age
- 27.1 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth
- 70.8 years (2024 est.)
- Literacy
- 98.5% (2020 est.)
Economy
- Economic overview
- growing Southeast Asian economy; commercial rebound led by transportation, construction and financial services; electronics exports recovering from sector slowdown; significant remittances; interest rate rises following heightened inflation; uncertainties due to increased regional tensions with China
- Industries
- semiconductors and electronics assembly, business process outsourcing, food and beverage manufacturing, construction, electric/gas/water supply, chemical products, radio/television/communications equipment and apparatus, petroleum and fuel, textile and garments, non-metallic minerals, basic metal industries, transport equipment
- Agricultural products
- sugarcane, rice, coconuts, maize, bananas, vegetables, tropical fruits, plantains, pineapples, cassava (2023)
- Exports - partners
- China 19%, USA 13%, Hong Kong 12%, Japan 11%, Germany 5% (2023)
- Imports - partners
- China 25%, Indonesia 8%, Japan 8%, S. Korea 6%, USA 6% (2023)
Government
- Government type
- presidential republic
- Capital
- Manila
- Independence
- 4 July 1946 (from the US)
- Constitution
- several previous; latest ratified 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
- Executive branch
- President Ferdinand "BongBong" MARCOS, Jr. (since 30 June 2022)
- Legislative branch
- Congress (Kongreso)
Full reference data
Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.
Introduction
Background
The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. Led by Emilio AGUINALDO, the Filipinos conducted an insurgency against US rule from 1899-1902, although some fighting continued in outlying islands as late as 1913. In 1935, the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. The islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. Twenty-one years of authoritarian rule under Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Several coup attempts hampered her presidency, and progress on political stability and economic development faltered until Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. The US closed its last military bases on the islands the same year. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. His vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, succeded him in 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected president in 2004. Corruption allegations marred her presidency, but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction after the 2008 global financial crisis. Benigno AQUINO III was elected as president in 2010, followed by Rodrigo DUTERTE in 2016. During his term, DUTERTE pursued a controversial drug war that garnered international criticism for alleged human rights abuses. Ferdinand MARCOS, Jr. was elected president in 2022 with the largest popular vote in a presidential election since his father's ouster. For decades, the country has been challenged by armed ethnic separatists, communist rebels, and Islamic terrorist groups, particularly in the southern islands and remote areas of Luzon.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution to the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required for stays under 30 days.
US Embassy/Consulate
[63] (2) 301-2000; US Embassy in Manila, 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines 1000; acsinfomanila@state.gov; https://ph.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code
63
Local Emergency Phone
166117
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. On 8 October 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Travel Health Notice regarding a polio outbreak in the Philippines; CDC recommends that all travelers to the Philippines be vaccinated fully against polio; before traveling to the Philippines, adults who completed their routine polio vaccine series as children should receive a single, lifetime adult booster dose of polio vaccine. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/
Climate
Tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
Currency (Code)
Philippine pesos (PHP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, C
Major Languages
Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Major Religions
Roman Catholic 80.6%, Protestant 8.2%, other Christians 3.4%, Muslim 5.6%, tribal religions .2%
Time Difference
UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Chocolate Hills; Underground River Tour; Batad Rice Terraces; Historic Tour of Corregidor Island (includes Pacific War Memorial, Malinta Tunnel); Pagsanjan Falls
Major Sports
Soccer, basketball, boxing, arnis (national martial art of the Philippines)
Cultural Practices
Use academic, professional, or honorific titles and a person's surname until you are invited to use their first name.
Tipping Guidelines
Do not feel pressure to leave a tip if the service is poor. Locals often round up the taxi fare.
Souvenirs
Toy jeepney figurines; pearl jewelry and mother-of-pearl tableware; handmade bags, pouches, and bandanas; woven mats and baskets, embroidered silk traditional clothing; straw fans; handmade musical instruments; coffee
Traditional Cuisine
Adobo — chicken and/or pork marinated or braised in a sauce of garlic, peppercorns, and soy sauce and then fried in oil; traditionally served over a bed of rice
CIA source last updated
Monday, August 15, 2022
Travel resources
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Monday, August 15, 2022
Geography
Location
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates
13 00 N, 122 00 E
Map references
Southeast Asia
Area - total
300,000 sq km
Area - land
298,170 sq km
Area - water
1,830 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly less than twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries - total
0 km
Coastline
36,289 km
Maritime claims - territorial sea
irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea as wide as 285 nm
Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Maritime claims - continental shelf
to the depth of exploitation
Climate
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
Terrain
mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Elevation - highest point
Mount Apo 2,954 m
Elevation - lowest point
Philippine Sea 0 m
Elevation - mean elevation
442 m
Natural resources
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
Land use - agricultural land
42.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 18.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 18.9% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 5% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
24.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
32.7% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
16,270 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km) - salt water lake(s)
Laguna de Bay - 890 sq km
Population distribution
population concentrated in areas with good farmland; highest concentrations are northwest and south-central Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and Negros; Manila is home to one eighth of the national population
Natural hazards
astride typhoon belt, usually affected by several cyclonic storms each year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Taal (311 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (2,462 m), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 and forced over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo, and Ragang; see note 2 under "Geography - note"
Geography - note
note 1: for decades, the Philippine archipelago was reported as having 7,107 islands; in 2016, the national mapping authority reported that hundreds of new islands had been discovered and increased the number of islands to 7,641, though not all of the new islands have been verified note 2: the Philippines is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, which is a belt bordering the Pacific Ocean that contains about 75% of the world's volcanoes and up to 90% of the world's earthquakes note 3: the Philippines sits on the Pacific typhoon belt, and an average of 9 typhoons make landfall on the islands each year, with about 5 being destructive; the country is the most exposed in the world to tropical storms
People and Society
Population - total
118,277,063 (2024 est.)
Population - male
59,227,092
Population - female
59,049,971
Nationality - noun
Filipino(s)
Nationality - adjective
Philippine
Ethnic groups
Tagalog 26%, Bisaya/Binisaya 14.3%, Ilocano 8%, Cebuano 8%, Illonggo 7.9%, Bikol/Bicol 6.5%, Waray 3.8%, Kapampangan 3%, Maguindanao 1.9%, Pangasinan 1.9%, other local ethnicities 18.5%, foreign ethnicities 0.2% (2020 est.)
Languages - Languages
Tagalog 39.9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 16%, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo 7.3%, Ilocano 7.1%, Cebuano 6.5%, Bikol/Bicol 3.9%, Waray 2.6%, Kapampangan 2.4%, Maguindanao 1.4%, Pangasinan/Panggalato 1.3%, other languages/dialects 11.2%, unspecified 0.4% (2020 est.)
Languages - major-language sample(s)
Ang World Factbook, ang mapagkukunan ng kailangang impormasyon. (Tagalog) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Languages - note
note: data represent percentage of households; unspecified Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English are official languagesTaga; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Religions
Roman Catholic 78.8%, Muslim 6.4%, Iglesia ni Cristo 2.6%, other Christian 3.9%, other 8.2%, none/unspecified <0.1 (2020 est.)
Age structure - 0-14 years
30.2% (male 18,234,279/female 17,462,803)
Age structure - 15-64 years
64.3% (male 38,381,583/female 37,613,294)
Age structure - 65 years and over
5.6% (2024 est.) (male 2,611,230/female 3,973,874)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
55.6 (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
47 (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
8.7 (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
11.5 (2024 est.)
Median age - total
27.1 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
25.1 years
Median age - female
26.3 years
Population growth rate
0.74% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
16.02 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-2.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
population concentrated in areas with good farmland; highest concentrations are northwest and south-central Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and Negros; Manila is home to one eighth of the national population
Urbanization - urban population
48.3% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
2.04% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
14.667 million MANILA (capital), 1.949 million Davao, 1.025 million Cebu City, 931,000 Zamboanga, 960,000 Antipolo, 803,000 Cagayan de Oro City, 803,000 Dasmarinas (2023)
Sex ratio - at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.04 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
1.02 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.66 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
23.6 years (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth - note
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio
84 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
18.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
24.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
19.6 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
70.8 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
67.3 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
74.5 years
Total fertility rate
1.94 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.94 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: urban
urban: 97.8% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: rural
rural: 92.2% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 94.9% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 2.2% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: rural
rural: 7.8% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 5.1% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
5.1% of GDP (2022)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
9% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.79 physicians/1,000 population (2021)
Hospital bed density
1 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: urban
urban: 96.5% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: rural
rural: 92.7% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 94.5% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban
urban: 3.5% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: rural
rural: 7.3% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total
total: 5.5% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
6.4% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
4.85 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
1.47 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
3.34 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
19.2% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
34.4% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - female
3.7% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
16.7% (2021 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
55.6% (2022 est.)
Child marriage - women married by age 15
1.5% (2022)
Child marriage - women married by age 18
9.4% (2022)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
15.2% national budget (2025 est.)
Literacy - total population
98.5% (2020 est.)
Literacy - male
98.4% (2020 est.)
Literacy - female
97% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - total
12 years (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - male
12 years (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - female
13 years (2021 est.)
People - note
one of only two predominantly Christian nations in Southeast Asia, the other being Timor-Leste
Government
Country name - conventional long form
Republic of the Philippines
Country name - conventional short form
Philippines
Country name - local long form
Republika ng Pilipinas
Country name - local short form
Pilipinas
Country name - etymology
named in honor of King PHILLIP II of Spain by Spanish explorer Ruy LOPEZ de VILLALOBOS, who visited the islands in 1543
Government type
presidential republic
Capital - name
Manila
Capital - geographic coordinates
14 36 N, 120 58 E
Capital - time difference
UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - etymology
derives from the Tagalog word may , meaning "there is," and nila , the local name for a shrub in the indigo family
Administrative divisions
81 provinces and 38 chartered cities provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay chartered cities: Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga
Legal system
mixed system of civil, common, Islamic (sharia), and customary law
Constitution - history
several previous; latest ratified 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
Constitution - amendment process
proposed by Congress if supported by three fourths of the membership, by a constitutional convention called by Congress, or by public petition; passage by either of the three proposal methods requires a majority vote in a national referendum
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; withdrew from the ICCt in March 2019
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
no
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Philippines
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
no
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch - chief of state
President Ferdinand "BongBong" MARCOS, Jr. (since 30 June 2022)
Executive branch - head of government
President Ferdinand "BongBong" MARCOS, Jr. (since 30 June 2022)
Executive branch - cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments, an independent body of 25 Congressional members that includes the Senate president (ex officio chairman) and is appointed by the president
Executive branch - election/appointment process
president and vice president directly elected on separate ballots by simple-majority popular vote for a single 6-year term
Executive branch - most recent election date
9 May 2022
Executive branch - election results
2022: Ferdinand MARCOS, Jr. elected president; percent of vote - Ferdinand MARCOS, Jr. (PFP) 58.7%, Leni ROBREDO (independent) 27.9%, Manny PACQUIAO (PROMDI) 6.8%, other 6.6%; Sara DUTERTE-Carpio elected vice president; percent of vote Sara DUTERTE-Carpio (Lakas-CMD) 61.5%, Francis PANGILINAN (LP) 17.8%, Tito SOTTO 15.8%, other 4.9% 2016: Rodrigo DUTERTE elected president; percent of vote - Rodrigo DUTERTE (PDP-Laban) 39%, Manuel "Mar" ROXAS (LP) 23.5%, Grace POE (independent) 21.4%, Jejomar BINAY (UNA) 12.7%, Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO (PRP) 3.4%; Leni ROBREDO elected vice president; percent of vote Leni ROBREDO (LP) 35.1%, Ferdinand MARCOS, Jr. (independent) 34.5%, Alan CAYETANO 14.4%, Francis ESCUDERO (independent) 12%, other 4%
Executive branch - expected date of next election
9 May 2028
Executive branch - note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch - legislature name
Congress (Kongreso)
Legislative branch - legislative structure
bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber - chamber name
House of Representatives (Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - number of seats
317 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - electoral system
mixed system
Legislative branch - lower chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - lower chamber - term in office
3 years
Legislative branch - lower chamber - most recent election date
5/12/2025
Legislative branch - lower chamber - parties elected and seats per party
Lakas-CMD party (103), National Unity Party (NUP) (32), Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) 31, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) (27), Nacionalista Party (NP) (22), Liberal Party (LP) (6), others (28), independents (11)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - percentage of women in chamber
28.3%
Legislative branch - lower chamber - expected date of next election
May 2028
Legislative branch - upper chamber - chamber name
Senate (Senado)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - number of seats
24 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - electoral system
plurality/majority
Legislative branch - upper chamber - scope of elections
partial renewal
Legislative branch - upper chamber - term in office
6 years
Legislative branch - upper chamber - most recent election date
5/12/2025
Legislative branch - upper chamber - parties elected and seats per party
Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) (2); Nacionalista Party (NP) (3); Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) (2); Lakas- CMD party (1); Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP) (1); Liberal Party (1); Independents (2)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - percentage of women in chamber
20.8%
Legislative branch - upper chamber - expected date of next election
May 2028
Judicial branch - highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 14 associate justices)
Judicial branch - judge selection and term of office
justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council, a constitutionally created, 6-member body that recommends Supreme Court nominees; justices serve until age 70
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
Court of Appeals; Sandiganbayan (special court for corruption cases of government officials); Court of Tax Appeals; regional, metropolitan, and municipal trial courts; sharia courts
Political parties
Democratic Action (Aksyon Demokratiko) Alliance for Change (Hugpong ng Pagbabago or HNP) Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP) Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD Liberal Party or LP Nacionalista Party or NP Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC National Unity Party or NUP Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan or PDP-Laban Partido Federal ng Pilipinas or PFP
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Jose Manuel del Gallego ROMUALDEZ (since 29 November 2017)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 467-9300
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 328-7614
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
info@phembassy-us.org The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Washington D.C. (philippineembassy-dc.org)
Diplomatic representation in the US - consulate(s) general
Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador MaryKay Loss CARLSON (since 22 July 2022)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
8600 Manila Place, Washington DC 20521-8600
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
[63] (2) 5301-2000
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
[63] (2) 5301-2017
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
International organization participation
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CICA (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
4 July 1946 (from the US)
National holiday
Independence Day, 12 June (1898)
National holiday - note
note: 12 June 1898 was the date of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was the date of independence from the US
Flag
description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white equilateral triangle is based on the left side; the center of the triangle has a yellow sun with eight rays, each split into smaller rays; the triangle's corners each have a small five-pointed yellow star meaning: blue stands for peace and justice, red for courage, and the triangle for equality; the rays represent the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, and the stars represent the country's three parts: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao history: the design dates to 1897
Flag - note
note: in wartime, the flag is flown upside-down with the red band at the top
National symbol(s)
three stars and sun, Philippine eagle
National color(s)
red, white, blue, yellow
National coat of arms
the coat of arms was adopted on 3 July 1946; the three gold stars represent the major island groups of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao; the rays of the sun represent the provinces of the Philippines; the American eagle and lion of Spain represent the nation's colonial past
National anthem(s) - title
"Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land)
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
collectively/Julian FELIPE
National anthem(s) - history
music adopted 1898 and lyrics adopted 1956; only sung in Tagalog
National heritage - total World Heritage Sites
6 (3 cultural, 3 natural)
National heritage - selected World Heritage Site locales
Baroque Churches of the Philippines (c); Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (n); Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (c); Historic Vigan (c); Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park (n); Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (n)
Economy
Economic overview
growing Southeast Asian economy; commercial rebound led by transportation, construction and financial services; electronics exports recovering from sector slowdown; significant remittances; interest rate rises following heightened inflation; uncertainties due to increased regional tensions with China
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$1.202 trillion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$1.137 trillion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$1.078 trillion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
5.7% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
5.5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
7.6% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$10,400 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$9,900 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$9,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$461.618 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
3.2% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
6% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
5.8% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
9.1% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
27.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
63.2% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
76.1% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
14.5% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
23.6% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
0.1% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
25.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-40.1% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
sugarcane, rice, coconuts, maize, bananas, vegetables, tropical fruits, plantains, pineapples, cassava (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
semiconductors and electronics assembly, business process outsourcing, food and beverage manufacturing, construction, electric/gas/water supply, chemical products, radio/television/communications equipment and apparatus, petroleum and fuel, textile and garments, non-metallic minerals, basic metal industries, transport equipment
Industrial production growth rate
5.6% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
50.979 million (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
2.2% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
2.3% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
2.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
6.6% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
5.6% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
8.3% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
15.5% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line - note
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023
39.3 (2023 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Average household expenditures - on food
37.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures - on alcohol and tobacco
1.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
2.9% (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
31.6% (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2024
8.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2023
8.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
9.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$65.069 billion (2022 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$93.871 billion (2022 est.)
Budget - note
note: central government revenues and expenditures (excluding grants and social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt - Public debt 2017
39.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
Public debt - note
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
Taxes and other revenues
14.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues - note
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance - Current account balance 2024
-$17.514 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2023
-$12.387 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2022
-$18.261 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2024
$106.99 billion (2024 est.)
Exports - Exports 2023
$103.588 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$98.832 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
China 19%, USA 13%, Hong Kong 12%, Japan 11%, Germany 5% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
integrated circuits, machine parts, gold, insulated wire, semiconductors (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2024
$161.154 billion (2024 est.)
Imports - Imports 2023
$151.441 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$152.638 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
China 25%, Indonesia 8%, Japan 8%, S. Korea 6%, USA 6% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
integrated circuits, refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, coal (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$106.195 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$103.742 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$96.04 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Debt - external - Debt - external 2023
$63.241 billion (2023 est.)
Debt - external - note
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
57.291 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
55.63 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
54.478 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
49.255 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
49.624 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
94.8% (2022 est.)
Electricity access - electrification - urban areas
98%
Electricity access - electrification - rural areas
91.1%
Electricity - installed generating capacity
29.174 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
100.824 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
10.693 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
77.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
1.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - wind
0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - hydroelectricity
9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - geothermal
9.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - biomass and waste
1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal - production
14.457 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - consumption
42.859 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - exports
8.151 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - imports
36.542 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - proven reserves
361 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum - total petroleum production
10,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
457,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - crude oil estimated reserves
138.5 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas - production
2.325 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
3.12 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - imports
794.289 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - proven reserves
98.543 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
17.654 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
4.627 million (2023 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
4 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
135 million (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
144 (2022 est.)
Broadcast media
multiple national private TV and radio networks; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; more than 400 TV stations; about 1,500 cable TV providers with more than 2 million subscribers; over 1,400 radio stations; was scheduled to move to digital by the end of 2023 (2019)
Internet country code
.ph
Internet users - percent of population
84% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
7.51 million (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
7 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
RP
Airports
256 (2025)
Heliports
416 (2025)
Railways - total
77 km (2017)
Railways - standard gauge
49 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge
Railways - narrow gauge
28 km (2017) 1.067-m gauge
Merchant marine - total
2,203 (2023)
Merchant marine - by type
bulk carrier 52, container ship 43, general cargo 955, oil tanker 207, other 946
Ports - total ports
70 (2024)
Ports - large
2
Ports - medium
4
Ports - small
8
Ports - very small
56
Ports - ports with oil terminals
22
Ports - key ports
Batangas City, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Manila, San Fernando Harbor, Subic Bay
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force Department of Transportation: Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); Department of the Interior: Philippine National Police Force (PNP) (2025)
Military and security forces - note
note 1: the PCG is an armed and uniformed service that would be attached to the AFP during a conflict note 2: the Philippine Government also arms and supports civilian militias; the AFP controls the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Units, while the Civilian Volunteer Organizations fall under PNP command
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
1.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
1.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2020
1.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 145,000 active Armed Forces (105,000 Army; 25,000 Navy, including about 8,000 Marine Corps; 15,000 Air Force) (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the AFP is equipped with a mix of imported weapons systems from more than a dozen countries, including Brazil, Israel, South Korea, and the US (2025)
Military service age and obligation
some variations in age based on the branch of service, but generally 18-27 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025)
Military service age and obligation - note
note: as of 2023, women made up about 8% of the active military; women have attended the Philippine Military Academy and trained as combat soldiers since 1993
Military - note
the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are responsible for territorial defense and assisting with internal security; much of the AFP's operational focus is on internal security alongside the Philippines National Police, particularly in the south, where several separatist insurgent, terrorist, and criminal groups operate and a considerable portion of the AFP is typically deployed; additional combat operations are conducted against the Communist People’s Party/New People’s Army, which is active mostly on Luzon, as well as the Visayas and areas of Mindanao; prior to a peace deal in 2014, the AFP fought a decades-long conflict against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a separatist organization based mostly on the island of Mindanao, which had up to 40,000 fighters under arms maritime security is also a priority; the AFP's naval forces conduct naval interdiction missions in support of security operations on the southern islands, including joint maritime patrols with Indonesia and Malaysia; rising tensions with China over disputed waters and land features in the South China Sea since 2012 have spurred the AFP to place more emphasis on blue-water naval capabilities, including acquiring larger warships such as guided missile frigates, corvettes, offshore patrol vessels, and landing platform dock (LPD) amphibious assault ships the Philippine military was formally organized during the American colonial period as the Philippine Army; they were established by the National Defense Act of 1935 and comprised of both Filipinos and Americans; the US and Philippines agreed to a mutual defense treaty in 1951; based on agreements signed in 2014 and 2023, the Philippine Government allows the rotational presence of US military forces, aircraft, and ships at up to nine bases in the Philippines; also in 2023, the US agreed to assist in modernizing Philippine defense capabilities, deepen interoperability, enhance bilateral planning and information-sharing, and combat transnational and nonconventional threats (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Abu Sayyaf Group; Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – East Asia (ISIS-EA) in the Philippines
Terrorist group(s) - note
note 1: ISIS-EA factions include Daulah Islamiya-Lanao (aka Maute Group), Daulah Islamiya-Maguindanao, Daulah Islamiya-Socsargen, ISIS-aligned elements of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), ISIS-aligned elements of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and rogue elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) note 2: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
2,342 (2024 est.)
Refugees and internally displaced persons - IDPs
1,158,643 (2024 est.)
Refugees and internally displaced persons - stateless persons
30 (2024 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
deforestation, especially in watershed areas; illegal mining and logging; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps; coastal erosion; dynamite fishing; wildlife extinction
International environmental agreements - party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
Land use - agricultural land
42.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 18.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 18.9% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 5% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
24.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
32.7% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
48.3% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
2.04% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
156.228 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
88.581 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
61.597 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from consumed natural gas
6.05 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
25.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Methane emissions - energy
230.7 kt (2022-2024 est.)
Methane emissions - agriculture
1,662.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Methane emissions - waste
452.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Methane emissions - other
39.1 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
14.632 million tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
49.9% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
9.498 billion cubic meters (2022)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
13.602 billion cubic meters (2022)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
67.937 billion cubic meters (2022)
Total renewable water resources
479 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Geoparks - total global geoparks and regional networks
1
Geoparks - global geoparks and regional networks
Bohol Island (2023)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA; established 2019) (2025)
Space program overview
has a small space program focused on acquiring satellites and related technologies, largely for climate studies, national security, and risk management; also prioritizing development of space expertise and industry; manufactures and operates satellites (mostly micro- and nano-sized), including remote sensing and scientific/experimental; has relations with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, the ESA (and some of its member states), India, Japan, Russia, and the US (2025)
Key space-program milestones
1994 - formed a consortium of companies to acquire and operate satellites 1996 - acquired first communications satellite (Agila-1) from Indonesia after it was already in orbit 2014 - initiated a scientific remote sensing (RS) microsatellite development program in collaboration with Japan, resulting in first RS microsatellite (Diwata-1) being deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) in 2016 2018 - first domestically designed and built scientific/technology-demonstrator cube satellite (Maya-1) deployed from ISS; second RS microsatellite (Diwata-2) developed with assistance from and launched by Japan 2023 - signed agreement with the ESA and EU to expand cooperation on Earth observation/RS data sharing 2025 - signed US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration