Compare countries · Philippines vs Vietnam
Philippines vs Vietnam
Philippines(Asia)·
Vietnam(Asia)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Philippines leads on 4, Vietnam on 9. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Philippines cheaper than Vietnam?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Philippines at 30.1 and Vietnam at 26.4. Vietnam is about 12% cheaper overall.
Is Philippines or Vietnam safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Philippines scores 2.09 and Vietnam scores 1.74. Vietnam ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Philippines or Vietnam?
On the UN Human Development Index, Philippines scores 0.720 and Vietnam scores 0.766. Vietnam 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 Vietnam?
GNI per capita runs $4,850 in Philippines against $4,970 in Vietnam; people live 69.9 years on average against 74.7; Numbeo users rate healthcare 67 against 62. 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
Vietnam
26.4
Better than 92% of countries
Vietnam: 12% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Philippines
7.8
Better than 89% of countries
Vietnam
9.9
Better than 76% of countries
Philippines: 21% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Philippines
2.09
Worse than 63% of countries
Vietnam
1.74
Better than 75% of countries
Vietnam: more peaceful (1.74 vs 2.09).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Philippines
56.5
Better than 55% of countries
Vietnam
59.9
Better than 62% of countries
Vietnam: higher perceived safety (59.9 vs 56.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Philippines
0.720
Worse than 62% of countries
Vietnam
0.766
Around the global middle
Vietnam: higher human development (0.766 vs 0.720).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Philippines
$12,577
Worse than 65% of countries
Vietnam
$18,088
Worse than 55% of countries
Vietnam: 44% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Philippines
69.9 yrs
Worse than 69% of countries
Vietnam
74.7 yrs
Around the global middle
Vietnam: 4.8 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Philippines
66.8
Better than 58% of countries
Vietnam
62.2
Worse than 56% of countries
Philippines: better-rated healthcare (66.8 vs 62.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Philippines
107 Mbps
Better than 60% of countries
Vietnam
289 Mbps
Better than 95% of countries
Vietnam: 171% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Philippines
47/100
Worse than 63% of countries
Vietnam
21/100
Worse than 97% of countries
Philippines: freer press (47 vs 21 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Philippines
6.21
Better than 62% of countries
Vietnam
6.43
Better than 69% of countries
Vietnam: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.43 vs 6.21).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Philippines
569
Better than 72% of countries
Vietnam
500
Worse than 56% of countries
Philippines: stronger English proficiency (569 vs 500).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Philippines
68.4
Worse than 80% of countries
Vietnam
71.1
Worse than 72% of countries
Vietnam: more pleasant climate rating (71.1 vs 68.4).
Deciding between Philippines and Vietnam for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Philippines profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Vietnam profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.