GeoRealityMatch

The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of the country, and all but essential travel to other areas. FCDO travel advice, read 29 October 2026.

The iconic Manila Post Office building reflecting on the Pasig River under a bright blue sky.Scenic view of vibrant rooftops in Baguio City, capturing the essence of a mountainous residential area.

Philippines

Asia · South-Eastern Asia

Medium safetyVery affordable cost of livingHigh development

Incomes are low.

Digital NomadOffers a digital nomad visa and home internet at 107 Mbps.BackpackerVery affordable cost of living.
vs Thailandvs Indonesiavs Vietnam
Safety

101st most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
2.092lower is more peacefulMedium safety
#101 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
4.3per 100,000 people a yearHighUNODC / World Bank · 2023
Safety index
56.5Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferModerateNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes below the median country

GNI per person
$4,850national income per person, US dollarsLow
World Bank · 2025
Rent index
7.8New York = 100Very affordableNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
32.1years of median income to buy a median flatVery expensiveNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 192% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 93% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$7.5K$15K$12,577 PPP$4,171Inflation, % a year10%0200620102015202020252006, $1,426 a person, $4,579 at PPP, inflation 5.5%2007, $1,713 a person, $4,923 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2008, $1,959 a person, $5,144 at PPP, inflation 8.3%2009, $1,864 a person, $5,157 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2010, $2,163 a person, $5,489 at PPP, inflation 3.8%2011, $2,384 a person, $5,705 at PPP, inflation 4.7%2012, $2,615 a person, $6,094 at PPP, inflation 3%2013, $2,781 a person, $6,373 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2014, $2,867 a person, $6,689 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2015, $2,910 a person, $6,894 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2016, $2,985 a person, $7,383 at PPP, inflation 1.3%2017, $3,038 a person, $7,774 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2018, $3,169 a person, $8,358 at PPP, inflation 5.3%2019, $3,401 a person, $8,924 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2020, $3,228 a person, $8,238 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2021, $3,484 a person, $8,858 at PPP, inflation 3.9%2022, $3,548 a person, $10,130 at PPP, inflation 5.8%2023, $3,804 a person, $10,995 at PPP, inflation 6%2024, $3,985 a person, $11,814 at PPP, inflation 3.2%2025, $4,171 a person, $12,577 at PPP, inflation 1.7%$0$7.5K$15KInflation, % a year10%0200620102015202020252006, $1,426 a person, $4,579 at PPP, inflation 5.5%2007, $1,713 a person, $4,923 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2008, $1,959 a person, $5,144 at PPP, inflation 8.3%2009, $1,864 a person, $5,157 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2010, $2,163 a person, $5,489 at PPP, inflation 3.8%2011, $2,384 a person, $5,705 at PPP, inflation 4.7%2012, $2,615 a person, $6,094 at PPP, inflation 3%2013, $2,781 a person, $6,373 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2014, $2,867 a person, $6,689 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2015, $2,910 a person, $6,894 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2016, $2,985 a person, $7,383 at PPP, inflation 1.3%2017, $3,038 a person, $7,774 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2018, $3,169 a person, $8,358 at PPP, inflation 5.3%2019, $3,401 a person, $8,924 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2020, $3,228 a person, $8,238 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2021, $3,484 a person, $8,858 at PPP, inflation 3.9%2022, $3,548 a person, $10,130 at PPP, inflation 5.8%2023, $3,804 a person, $10,995 at PPP, inflation 6%2024, $3,985 a person, $11,814 at PPP, inflation 3.2%2025, $4,171 a person, $12,577 at PPP, inflation 1.7%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Below-average life expectancy

Life expectancy
69.9years, at birthLow
#133 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
69WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100LowWHO · 2023
Air pollution
16.7PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageModerateWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Very fast home internet

Unemployment rate
2.2%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
Home internet
107 Mbpsmedian download speedVery fastOokla Speedtest · 2025
English proficiency
569EF English Proficiency Index scoreHighEF EPI · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet107 MbpsVery fast
Mobile56 MbpsSlow

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Digital nomad visaHard

Minimum income
No minimum
Duration
12 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
Varies
  • NationalitiesSome are restricted
Official page
Scenic view of vibrant rooftops in Baguio City, capturing the essence of a mountainous residential area.
How it changed

Philippines's Human Development Index

0.720High human development

117th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 30th of 43 in Asia.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #117Jamaica0.720
  2. #117Kyrgyzstan0.720
  3. #117Philippines0.720
  4. #120Morocco0.710
  5. #121Venezuela0.709
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.593 in 1990 to 0.720 in 2023.

0.550.650.750.72019902000201020231990: 0.5931991: 0.5941992: 0.5991993: 0.6021994: 0.6061995: 0.6091996: 0.6191997: 0.6231998: 0.6241999: 0.6282000: 0.6322001: 0.6362002: 0.6432003: 0.6482004: 0.6552005: 0.6562006: 0.6542007: 0.6592008: 0.6622009: 0.6622010: 0.6692011: 0.6742012: 0.6812013: 0.6872014: 0.6892015: 0.6902016: 0.6902017: 0.6942018: 0.7002019: 0.7082020: 0.6992021: 0.6902022: 0.7142023: 0.7200.550.650.7519902000201020231990: 0.5931991: 0.5941992: 0.5991993: 0.6021994: 0.6061995: 0.6091996: 0.6191997: 0.6231998: 0.6241999: 0.6282000: 0.6322001: 0.6362002: 0.6432003: 0.6482004: 0.6552005: 0.6562006: 0.6542007: 0.6592008: 0.6622009: 0.6622010: 0.6692011: 0.6742012: 0.6812013: 0.6872014: 0.6892015: 0.6902016: 0.6902017: 0.6942018: 0.7002019: 0.7082020: 0.6992021: 0.6902022: 0.7142023: 0.720

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
70 years2024at birthUp 1.5 years from 68.4 years in 2005
Internet users
67%2024of people onlineUp 62 points from 6% in 2006
Urban population
56%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 14 points from 42% in 2006
Births per woman
1.892024births per womanDown 1.56 from 3.45 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
28%2021of energy usedDown 2 points from 30% in 2004
Access to electricity
95%2024of people with electricityUp 15 points from 80% in 2005
Infant mortality
222024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 3 from 25 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
1.5 t2024of CO2 per person a yearUp 0.6 t from 0.9 t in 2005
Forest area
24%2023of land under forestUp 1 point from 24% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

English-speaking islands, affordable, with typhoon risk and uneven infrastructure. The case against is low incomes, short lives and patchy access to essential health services.

About Philippines

The Philippines is a Southeast Asian archipelago of over 7,000 islands with extraordinary natural variety, from the rice terrace landscapes of the Cordillera highlands and the white-sand beaches of Palawan and the Visayas to the vibrant, chaotic energy of Manila. The culture is uniquely shaped by three centuries of Spanish rule and decades of American influence, resulting in a deeply warm and outwardly expressive society. Those who find their rhythm in island life, diving, and warmth of people will find it endlessly generous.

Practical facts

  • CapitalManila
  • LanguagesEnglish, Filipino
  • CurrencyPhilippine peso (PHP)
  • Area298,170 km²
  • Plug typeType A/B/C
  • Drives on theright
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Quick answers

What is Philippines's Human Development Index?

Philippines's Human Development Index is 0.720 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #117 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Philippines safe?

Philippines scores 2.09 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #101 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Philippines?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Philippines at 30.1 (New York = 100); that is #30 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Philippines?

Life expectancy at birth in Philippines is 69.9 yrs (World Bank), ranked #133 of 195 countries.

What is the quality of life in Philippines?

Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Philippines at 87.1, ranked #82 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.