View Intelligence Dossier Back to 1999 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 261, FM 55, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

9.03 million (1992 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations international: submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan; satellite earth stations--3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

1.9 million (1997)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

37 (includes six stations of the US Armed Forces Radio and TV Service) (1997)

Televisions [time series]

9.2 million (1998)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture--products) [time series]

rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $14.5 billion expenditures: $12.6 billion (1998 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Philippine peso (P) = 100 centavos

Debt - external (Debt--external) [time series]

$46.4 billion (September 1998)

Economic aid (Economic aid--recipient) [time series]

ODA, $1.1 billion (1998)

Economic overview (Economy--overview) [time series]

In 1998 the Philippine economy?a mixture of agriculture, light industry, and supporting services--deteriorated as a result of spillover from the Asian financial crisis and poor weather conditions. Growth fell to about -0.5% in 1998 from 5% in 1997, but is expected to recover to more than 2% in 1999. The government has promised to continue its economic reforms to help the Philippines match the pace of development in the newly industrialized countries of East Asia. The strategy includes improving infrastructure, overhauling the tax system to bolster government revenues, and moving toward further deregulation and privatization of the economy.

Electricity - consumption (Electricity--consumption) [time series]

32.2 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - exports (Electricity--exports) [time series]

0 kWh (1996)

Electricity - imports (Electricity--imports) [time series]

0 kWh (1996)

Electricity - production (Electricity--production) [time series]

32.2 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - production by source (Electricity--production by source) [time series]

fossil fuel: 62.11% hydro: 20.19% nuclear: 0% other: 17.7% (1996)

Exchange rates [time series]

Philippine pesos (P) per US$1--38.404 (January 1999), 40.893 (1998), 29.471 (1997), 26.216 (1996), 25.714 (1995), 26.417 (1994)

Exports [time series]

$25 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports - commodities (Exports--commodities) [time series]

electronics and telecommunications 51%, machinery and transport 10%, garments 9%, other 30%

Exports - partners (Exports--partners) [time series]

US 34%, Japan 17%, EU 17%, ASEAN 14%, Hong Kong 4%, Taiwan 4% (1997 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity--$270.5 billion (1998 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP--composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 20% industry: 32% services: 48% (1997 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP--per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity?$3,500 (1998 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP--real growth rate) [time series]

-0.5% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 33.5% (1994)

Imports [time series]

$29 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Imports - commodities (Imports--commodities) [time series]

raw materials and intermediate goods 43%, capital goods 36%, consumer goods 9%, fuels 9%

Imports - partners (Imports--partners) [time series]

Japan 21%, US 20%, ASEAN 12%, EU 10%, Taiwan 5%, Hong Kong 4%, Saudi Arabia 4% (1997 est.)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-1.7% (1998 est.)

Industries [time series]

textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

9.7% (1998)

Labor force [time series]

31.3 million (1998 est.)

Labor force - by occupation (Labor force--by occupation) [time series]

agriculture 39.8%, government and social services 19.4%, services 17.7%, manufacturing 9.8%, construction 5.8%, other 7.5% (1998 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

32% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

9.6% (October 1998)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 300,000 sq km land: 298,170 sq km water: 1,830 sq km

Area - comparative (Area--comparative) [time series]

slightly larger than Arizona

Climate [time series]

tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Coastline [time series]

36,289 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Environment - current issues (Environment--current issues) [time series]

uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps which are important fish breeding grounds

International environmental agreements (Environment--international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification

Geographic coordinates [time series]

13 00 N, 122 00 E

Irrigated land [time series]

15,800 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 19% permanent crops: 12% permanent pastures: 4% forests and woodland: 46% other: 19% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Map references [time series]

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm 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 up to 285 nm in breadth

Natural hazards [time series]

astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis

Natural resources [time series]

timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

72 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*, Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City* Davao, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar, General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*, Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao, Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*, Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*, Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*, Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawitawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*, Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur

Capital [time series]

Manila

Constitution [time series]

2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines conventional short form: Philippines local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas local short form: Pilipinas

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas C. HUBBARD embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila 1000 mailing address: FPO 96515

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Raul Chaves RABE chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Tamuning (Guam) consulate(s): San Diego and Susupe (Saipan)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA (since 30 June 1998) and Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 30 June 1998); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA (since 30 June 1998) and Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 30 June 1998); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 11 May 1998 (next to be held 11 May 2004) election results: Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA elected president; percent of vote--NA%; Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected vice president; percent of vote--NA%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

4 July 1946 (from US)

International organization participation [time series]

APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, justices are appointed for four-year terms by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council

Legal system [time series]

based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats--one-half elected every three years; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (221 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note--an additional 50 members may be appointed by the president) elections: Senate--last held 11 May 1998 (next to be held 11 May 2001); House of Representatives--elections last held 11 May 1998 (next to be held 11 May 2001) election results: Senate--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--LAMP 12, Lakas 5, PRP 2, LP 1, other 3; note--the Senate now has only 23 members with one seat vacated when Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO became vice president; the seat can only be filled by election and is likely to remain open until the next regular election in 2001; House of Representatives--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--LAMP 135, Lakas 37, LP 13, Aksyon Demokratiko 1, other 35

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 12 June (1898) (from Spain)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Laban Ng Masang Pilipino or LAMP Eduardo "Danding" COJUANGO, chairman, Edgardo ANGARA, party MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, secretary general, Jose DE VENECIA, party SALONGA, chairman, Florencio ABAD, secretary general]; People's

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures--dollar figure) [time series]

$995 million (1998)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures--percent of GDP) [time series]

1.5% (1998)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower--availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 20,228,797 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower--fit for military service) [time series]

males age 15-49: 14,261,514 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower--military age) [time series]

20 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower--reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 818,006 (1999 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 37% (male 15,057,698; female 14,555,430) 15-64 years: 59% (male 23,168,043; female 23,715,877) 65 years and over: 4% (male 1,269,522; female 1,579,242) (1999 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

27.88 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate [time series]

6.45 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

33.89 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Languages [time series]

Pilipino (official, based on Tagalog), English (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 66.58 years male: 63.79 years female: 69.5 years (1999 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.6% male: 95% female: 94.3% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Population [time series]

79,345,812 (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.04% (1999 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.46 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes--international) [time series]

involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claim to Malaysia's Sabah State has not been fully revoked

Illicit drugs [time series]

exports locally produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, the US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroin and crystal methamphetamine

Transportation

Airports [time series]

260 (1998 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports--with paved runways) [time series]

total: 75 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 30 under 914 m: 10 (1998 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports--with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 185 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 121 (1998 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (1998 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 161,313 km paved: 290 km unpaved: 161,023 km (1997)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 513 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,544,029 GRT/10,052,418 DWT ships by type: bulk 179, cargo 131, chemical tanker 6, combination bulk 13, container 9, liquefied gas tanker 12, livestock carrier 10, oil tanker 48, passenger 4, passenger-cargo 13, refrigerated cargo 19, roll-on/roll-off cargo 17, short-sea passenger 31, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 20 note: a flag of convenience registry; Japan owns 19 ships, Hong Kong 5, Cyprus 1, Denmark 1, Greece 1, Netherlands 1, Singapore 1, and UK 1 (1998 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

petroleum products 357 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island, Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga

Railways [time series]

total: 897 km of which 492 km in operation narrow gauge: 492 km 1.067-m gauge (1996)

Waterways [time series]

3,219 km; limited to shallow-draft (less than 1.5 m) vessels