Compare countries · Philippines vs Thailand
Philippines vs Thailand
Philippines(Asia)·
Thailand(Asia)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Philippines leads on 3, Thailand on 7, 3 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Philippines cheaper than Thailand?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Philippines at 30.1 and Thailand at 38.0. Philippines is about 21% cheaper overall.
Is Philippines or Thailand safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Philippines scores 2.09 and Thailand scores 2.09. The two are effectively tied.
Which has the higher quality of life, Philippines or Thailand?
On the UN Human Development Index, Philippines scores 0.720 and Thailand scores 0.798. Thailand 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 Philippines compared to Thailand?
GNI per capita runs $4,850 in Philippines against $7,690 in Thailand; people live 69.9 years on average against 76.6; Numbeo users rate healthcare 67 against 78. 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)
Philippines
30.1
Better than 81% of countries
Thailand
38.0
Better than 62% of countries
Philippines: 21% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Philippines
7.8
Better than 89% of countries
Thailand
13.9
Around the global middle
Philippines: 44% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Philippines
2.09
Worse than 63% of countries
Thailand
2.09
Worse than 62% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Philippines
56.5
Better than 55% of countries
Thailand
63.4
Better than 68% of countries
Thailand: higher perceived safety (63.4 vs 56.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Philippines
0.720
Worse than 62% of countries
Thailand
0.798
Better than 60% of countries
Thailand: higher human development (0.798 vs 0.720).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Philippines
$12,577
Worse than 65% of countries
Thailand
$26,250
Better than 58% of countries
Thailand: 109% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Philippines
69.9 yrs
Worse than 69% of countries
Thailand
76.6 yrs
Better than 62% of countries
Thailand: 6.7 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Philippines
66.8
Better than 58% of countries
Thailand
77.5
Better than 92% of countries
Thailand: better-rated healthcare (77.5 vs 66.8).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Philippines
107 Mbps
Better than 60% of countries
Thailand
274 Mbps
Better than 91% of countries
Thailand: 157% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Philippines
47/100
Worse than 63% of countries
Thailand
54/100
Around the global middle
Thailand: freer press (54 vs 47 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Philippines
6.21
Better than 62% of countries
Thailand
6.30
Better than 65% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Philippines
569
Better than 72% of countries
Thailand
402
Worse than 95% of countries
Philippines: stronger English proficiency (569 vs 402).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Philippines
68.4
Worse than 80% of countries
Thailand
68.0
Worse than 82% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Deciding between Philippines and Thailand 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.