Compare countries · Japan vs Philippines
Japan vs Philippines
Japan(Asia)·
Philippines(Asia)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Japan leads on 9, Philippines on 3, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Japan cheaper than Philippines?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Japan at 47.5 and Philippines at 30.1. Philippines is about 37% cheaper overall.
Is Japan or Philippines safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Japan scores 1.49 and Philippines scores 2.09. Japan ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Japan or Philippines?
On the UN Human Development Index, Japan scores 0.920 and Philippines scores 0.710. Japan scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Japan compared to Philippines?
GNI per capita runs $38,340 in Japan against $4,850 in Philippines; people live 84.0 years on average against 69.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 80 against 67. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Japan
47.5
Worse than 61% of countries
Philippines
30.1
Better than 81% of countries
Philippines: 37% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Japan
14.7
Around the global middle
Philippines
7.8
Better than 89% of countries
Philippines: 47% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Japan
1.49
Better than 94% of countries
Philippines
2.09
Worse than 63% of countries
Japan: more peaceful (1.49 vs 2.09).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Japan
77.2
Better than 93% of countries
Philippines
56.5
Better than 55% of countries
Japan: higher perceived safety (77.2 vs 56.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Japan
0.920
Better than 88% of countries
Philippines
0.710
Worse than 58% of countries
Japan: higher human development (0.920 vs 0.710).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Japan
$55,422
Better than 79% of countries
Philippines
$12,577
Worse than 65% of countries
Japan: 341% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Japan
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Philippines
69.9 yrs
Worse than 69% of countries
Japan: 14.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Japan
80.1
Better than 96% of countries
Philippines
66.8
Better than 58% of countries
Japan: better-rated healthcare (80.1 vs 66.8).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Japan
256 Mbps
Better than 89% of countries
Philippines
107 Mbps
Better than 60% of countries
Japan: 141% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Japan
63/100
Better than 65% of countries
Philippines
47/100
Worse than 63% of countries
Japan: freer press (63 vs 47 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Japan
6.13
Better than 58% of countries
Philippines
6.21
Better than 62% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Japan
446
Worse than 80% of countries
Philippines
569
Better than 72% of countries
Philippines: stronger English proficiency (569 vs 446).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Japan
83.8
Better than 59% of countries
Philippines
68.4
Worse than 80% of countries
Japan: more pleasant climate rating (83.8 vs 68.4).
Deciding between Japan and Philippines for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.