Philippines

total: 3,399,291 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2017 est.)

multiple national private TV and radio networks; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; more than 400 TV stations; about 1,500 cable TV providers with more than 2 million subscribers, and some 1,400 radio stations; the Philippines adopted Japan’s Integrated Service Digital Broadcast – Terrestrial standard for digital terrestrial television in November 2013 and is scheduled to complete the switch from analog to digital broadcasting by the end of 2023 (2019)

.ph

total: 56,956,436 | percent of population: 55.5% (July 2016 est.)

general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate; National Broadband Plan to improve connectivity in rural areas underway; 4G available now in some areas with 5G pilots planned to commence in 2019-2020 (2018) | domestic: telecommunications infrastructure includes the following platforms: fixed line, mobile cellular, cable TV, over-the-air TV, radio and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), fiber-optic cable, and satellite for redundant international connectivity; fixed-line 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular 111 per 100 (2018) | international: country code - 63; landing points for the NDTN, TGN-IA, AAG, PLCN, EAC-02C, DFON, SJC, APCN-2, SeaMeWe, Boracay-Palawan Submarine Cable System, Palawa-Illoilo Cable System, NDTN, SEA-US, SSSFOIP, ASE and JUPITAR submarine cables that together provide connectivity to the US, Southeast Asia, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia (2019)

total subscriptions: 4,163,282 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions: 115,824,982 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111 (2017 est.)

rice, fish, livestock, poultry, bananas, coconut/copra, corn, sugarcane, mangoes, pineapple, cassava

revenues: 49.07 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 56.02 billion (2017 est.)

-2.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

3.56% (31 December 2017) | 3.56% (31 December 2016)

5.63% (31 December 2017 est.) | 5.64% (31 December 2016 est.)

-$2.518 billion (2017 est.) | -$1.199 billion (2016 est.)

$76.18 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $74.76 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

44.4 (2015 est.) | 46 (2012 est.)

The economy has been relatively resilient to global economic shocks due to less exposure to troubled international securities, lower dependence on exports, relatively resilient domestic consumption, large remittances from about 10 million overseas Filipino workers and migrants, and a rapidly expanding services industry. During 2017, the current account balance fell into the negative range, the first time since the 2008 global financial crisis, in part due to an ambitious new infrastructure spending program announced this year. However, international reserves remain at comfortable levels and the banking system is stable. Efforts to improve tax administration and expenditures management have helped ease the Philippines' debt burden and tight fiscal situation. The Philippines received investment-grade credit ratings on its sovereign debt under the former AQUINO administration and has had little difficulty financing its budget deficits. However, weak absorptive capacity and implementation bottlenecks have prevented the government from maximizing its expenditure plans. Although it has improved, the low tax-to-GDP ratio remains a constraint to supporting increasingly higher spending levels and sustaining high and inclusive growth over the longer term. Economic growth has accelerated, averaging over 6% per year from 2011 to 2017, compared with 4.5% under the MACAPAGAL-ARROYO government; and competitiveness rankings have improved. Although 2017 saw a new record year for net foreign direct investment inflows, FDI to the Philippines has continued to lag regional peers, in part because the Philippine constitution and other laws limit foreign investment and restrict foreign ownership in important activities/sectors - such as land ownership and public utilities. Although the economy grew at a rapid pace under the AQUINO government, challenges to achieving more inclusive growth remain. Wealth is concentrated in the hands of the rich. The unemployment rate declined from 7.3% to 5.7% between 2010 and 2017; while there has been some improvement, underemployment remains high at around 17% to 18% of the employed population. At least 40% of the employed work in the informal sector. Poverty afflicts more than a fifth of the total population but is as high as 75% in some areas of the southern Philippines. More than 60% of the poor reside in rural areas, where the incidence of poverty (about 30%) is more severe - a challenge to raising rural farm and non-farm incomes. Continued efforts are needed to improve governance, the judicial system, the regulatory environment, the infrastructure, and the overall ease of doing business. 2016 saw the election of President Rodrigo DUTERTE, who has pledged to make inclusive growth and poverty reduction his top priority. DUTERTE believes that illegal drug use, crime and corruption are key barriers to economic development. The administration wants to reduce the poverty rate to 17% and graduate the economy to upper-middle income status by the end of President DUTERTE’s term in 2022. Key themes under the government’s Ten-Point Socioeconomic Agenda include continuity of macroeconomic policy, tax reform, higher investments in infrastructure and human capital development, and improving competitiveness and the overall ease of doing business. The administration sees infrastructure shortcomings as a key barrier to sustained economic growth and has pledged to spend $165 billion on infrastructure by 2022. Although the final outcome has yet to be seen, the current administration is shepherding legislation for a comprehensive tax reform program to raise revenues for its ambitious infrastructure spending plan and to promote a more equitable and efficient tax system. However, the need to finance rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the southern region of Mindanao following the 2017 Marawi City siege may compete with other spending on infrastructure.

Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - | 50.4 (2017 est.) | 47.493 (2016 est.) | 47.493 (2015 est.) | 45.503 (2014 est.) | 44.395 (2013 est.)

$48.2 billion (2017 est.) | $57.41 billion (2016 est.)

semiconductors and electronic products, machinery and transport equipment, wood manufactures, chemicals, processed food and beverages, garments, coconut oil, copper concentrates, seafood, bananas/fruits

Japan 16.4%, US 14.6%, Hong Kong 13.7%, China 11%, Singapore 6.1%, Thailand 4.3%, Germany 4.1%, South Korea 4% (2017)

calendar year

$313.6 billion (2017 est.)

$877.2 billion (2017 est.) | $822.2 billion (2016 est.) | $769.3 billion (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

household consumption: 73.5% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 11.3% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 25.1% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 31% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -40.9% (2017 est.)

agriculture: 9.6% (2017 est.) | industry: 30.6% (2017 est.) | services: 59.8% (2017 est.)

$8,400 (2017 est.) | $8,000 (2016 est.) | $7,600 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

6.7% (2017 est.) | 6.9% (2016 est.) | 6.1% (2015 est.)

24.3% of GDP (2017 est.) | 24% of GDP (2016 est.) | 23.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

lowest 10%: 3.2% | highest 10%: 29.5% (2015 est.)

$89.39 billion (2017 est.) | $78.28 billion (2016 est.)

electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic

China 18.1%, Japan 11.4%, South Korea 8.8%, US 7.4%, Thailand 7.1%, Indonesia 6.7%, Singapore 5.9% (2017)

7.2% (2017 est.)

semiconductors and electronics assembly, business process outsourcing, food and beverage manufacturing, construction, electric/gas/water supply, chemical products, radio/television/communications equipment and apparatus, petroleum and fuel, textile and garments, non-metallic minerals, basic metal industries, transport equipment

2.9% (2017 est.) | 1.3% (2016 est.)

42.78 million (2017 est.)

agriculture: 25.4% | industry: 18.3% | services: 56.3% (2017 est.)

$352.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $290.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $286.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

21.6% (2017 est.)

39.9% of GDP (2017 est.) | 39% of GDP (2016 est.)

$81.57 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $80.69 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$71.13 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $61.62 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$47.82 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $43.89 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$78.79 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $64.51 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$209.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $184.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$71.13 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $61.62 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

15.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

5.7% (2017 est.) | 5.5% (2016 est.)

117.2 million Mt (2017 est.)

16,450 bbl/day (2015 est.)

211,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)

13,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)

138.5 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

78.3 billion kWh (2016 est.)

0 kWh (2017 est.)

67% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

17% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

16% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

0 kWh (2016 est.)

22.13 million kW (2016 est.)

86.59 billion kWh (2016 est.)

population without electricity: 12 million (2017) | electrification - total population: 88% (2017) | electrification - urban areas: 98% (2017) | electrification - rural areas: 80% (2017)

3.143 billion cu m (2017 est.)

0 cu m (2017 est.)

0 cu m (2017 est.)

3.058 billion cu m (2017 est.)

98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

424,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

26,710 bbl/day (2015 est.)

211,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)

215,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)

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

slightly less than twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona | Area comparison map: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × East Asia/Southeast Asia :: Philippines Print Image Description slightly less than twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona

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

36,289 km

mean elevation: 442 m | lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m | highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; illegal mining and logging; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds; coastal erosion; dynamite fishing; wildlife extinction

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling | signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

13 00 N, 122 00 E

note 1: for decades, the Philippine archipelago was reported as having 7,107 islands; in 2016, the national mapping authority reported that hundreds of new islands had been discovered and increased the number of islands to 7,641 - though not all of the new islands have been verified; the country is favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait note 2: Philippines is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire note 3: the Philippines sits astride the Pacific typhoon belt and an average of 9 typhoons make landfall on the islands each year - with about 5 of these being destructive; the country is the most exposed in the world to tropical storms

16,270 sq km (2012)

0 km

agricultural land: 41% (2011 est.) | arable land: 18.2% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 17.8% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 5% (2011 est.) | forest: 25.9% (2011 est.) | other: 33.1% (2011 est.)

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

Southeast Asia

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 as wide as 285 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | continental shelf: to the depth of exploitation

astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms each year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Taal (311 m), which has shown recent unrest and may erupt in the near future, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (2,462 m), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 forcing over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo, and Ragang; see note 2 under "Geography - note"

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

population concentrated where good farmlands lie; highest concentrations are northwest and south-central Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and Negros; Manila is home to one-eighth of the entire national population

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

81 provinces and 38 chartered cities provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Compostela, Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay; chartered cities: Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga (2012)

name: Manila | geographic coordinates: 14 36 N, 120 58 E | time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) | etymology: derives from the Tagalog "may-nila" meaning "where there is indigo" and refers to the presence of indigo-yielding plants growing in the area surrounding the original settlement

citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Philippines | dual citizenship recognized: no | residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

history: several previous; latest ratified 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 | amendments: proposed by Congress if supported by three fourths of the membership, by a constitutional convention called by Congress, or by public petition; passage by either of the three proposal methods requires a majority vote in a national referendum; note - the constitution has not been amended since its enactment in 1987 (2017)

conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines | conventional short form: Philippines | local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas | local short form: Pilipinas | etymology: named in honor of King PHILLIP II of Spain by Spanish explorer Ruy LOPEZ de VILLALOBOS, who visited some of the islands in 1543

chief of mission: Ambassador Sung KIM (since 6 December 2016) | telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000 | embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000 | mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000 | FAX: [63] (2) 301-2017

Ambassador Jose Manuel del Gallego ROMUALDEZ (since 29 November 2017) | chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 | telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 | FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614 | consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam)

chief of state: President Rodrigo DUTERTE (since 30 June 2016); Vice President Leni ROBREDO (since 30 June 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Rodrigo DUTERTE (since 30 June 2016); Vice President Leni ROBREDO (since 30 June 2016) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments, an independent body of 25 Congressional members including the Senate president (ex officio chairman), appointed by the president | elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on separate ballots by simple majority popular vote for a single 6-year term; election last held on 9 May 2016 (next to be held in May 2022) | election results: Rodrigo DUTERTE elected president; percent of vote - Rodrigo DUTERTE (PDP-Laban) 39%, Manuel "Mar" ROXAS (LP) 23.5%, Grace POE (independent) 21.4%, Jejomar BINAY (UNA) 12.7%, Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO (PRP) 3.4%; Leni ROBREDO elected vice president; percent of vote Leni ROBREDO (LP) 35.1%, Bongbong MARCOS (independent) 34.5%, Alan CAYETANO 14.4%, Francis ESCUDERO (independent) 12%, Antonio TRILLANES (independent) 2.1%, Gregorio HONASAN (UNA) 1.9%

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star; blue stands for peace and justice, red symbolizes courage, the white equal-sided triangle represents equality; the rays recall the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, while the stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897 | note: in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top

presidential republic

4 July 1946 (from the US)

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; withdrew from the ICCt in March 2019

ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CICA (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 14 associate justices) | judge selection and term of office: justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council, a constitutionally created, 6-member body that recommends Supreme Court nominees; justices serve until age 70 | subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; Sandiganbayan (special court for corruption cases of government officials); Court of Tax Appeals; regional, metropolitan, and municipal trial courts; sharia courts

mixed legal system of civil, common, Islamic (sharia), and customary law

description: bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of: Senate or Senado (24 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (297 seats; 238 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 59 representing minorities directly elected by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 3-year terms) | elections: Senate - elections last held on 9 May 2016 (next to be held on 13 May 2019) House of Representatives - elections last held on 9 May 2016 (next to be held on 13 May 2019) | election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - LP 31.3%, NPC 10.1%, UNA 7.6%, Akbayan 5.0%, other 30.9%, independent 15.1%; seats by party - LP 6, NPC 3, UNA 4, Akbayan 1, other 10; composition - men 18, women 6, percent of women 25% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LP 41.7%, NPC 17.0%, UNA 6.6%, NUP 9.7%, NP 9.4%, independent 6.0%, others 10.1%; seats by party - LP 115, NPC 42, NUP 23, NP 24, UNA 11, other 19, independent 4, party-list 59; composition - men 210, women 87, percent of women 29.8%; note - total Congress percent of women 29.4%

name: "Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land) | lyrics/music: Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA de Leon)/Julian FELIPE | note: music adopted 1898, original Spanish lyrics adopted 1899, Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; although the original lyrics were written in Spanish, later English and Filipino versions were created; today, only the Filipino version is used

Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from the US

three stars and sun, Philippine eagle; national colors: red, white, blue, yellow

Akbayon [Machris CABREROS] Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA] Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD [Ferdinand Martin ROMUALDEZ] Liberal Party or LP [Francis PANGILINAN] Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel "Manny" VILLAR] Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUNGCO, Jr.] National Unity Party or NUP [Albert GARCIA] PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL III] People's Reform Party or PRP [Narcisco SANTIAGO] Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Force of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA] United Nationalist Alliance or UNA

18 years of age; universal

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. A 21-year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction following the 2008 global financial crisis, expanding each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010 and was succeeded by Rodrigo DUTERTE in May 2016. The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups, some of which are on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and a separate agreement with a break away faction, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. In 2017, Philippine armed forces battled an ISIS-Philippines siege in Marawi City, driving DUTERTE to declare martial law in the region. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; during 2018, 10 attacks were reported in and around the Philippines including six ships that were boarded, one fired upon, and three crewman kidnapped for ransom; an emerging threat area lies in the Celebes and Sulu Seas between the Philippines and Malaysia where it is believed the pirates involved are associated with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorist organization; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift; the Maritime Administration (MARAD) of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2019-011-Sulu and Celebes Seas-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Terrorism) which states in part "In 2018, there were at least 12 reported boardings, attempted boardings, attacks, hijackings, and kidnappings in the Sulu and Celebes Seas. Recent kidnapping incidents in this area were reportedly linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a violent Islamic separatist group operating in the southern Philippines..." and advises ships to adhere to counter-piracy practices to minimize risk

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2019) | the Philippine Coast Guard is an armed and uniformed service under the Department of Transportation; it would be attached to the AFP in wartime; the Philippine National Police Force (PNP) falls under the Ministry of Interior and Local Government

1.13% of GDP (2018) | 1.2% of GDP (2017) | 1.43% of GDP (2016) | 1.14% of GDP (2015) | 1.09% of GDP (2014)

18-23 years of age (officers 21-29) for voluntary military service; no conscription (2019)

0-14 years: 33.07% (male 17,870,983 /female 17,151,096) | 15-24 years: 19.17% (male 10,360,704 /female 9,934,798) | 25-54 years: 37.11% (male 19,987,460 /female 19,312,673) | 55-64 years: 6.04% (male 2,932,572 /female 3,462,832) | 65 years and over: 4.61% (male 2,001,964 /female 2,878,299) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × East Asia/Southeast Asia :: Philippines Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for the Philippines. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

23.4 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

21.5% (2015)

54.1% (2017)

4.4% (2016)

6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

total dependency ratio: 58.2 (2015 est.) | youth dependency ratio: 51 (2015 est.) | elderly dependency ratio: 7.2 (2015 est.) | potential support ratio: 13.8 (2015 est.)

improved: urban: 93.7% of population | rural: 90.3% of population | total: 91.8% of population | unimproved: urban: 6.3% of population | rural: 9.7% of population | total: 8.2% of population (2015 est.)

2.7% of GDP (2009)

Tagalog 24.4%, Bisaya/Binisaya 11.4%, Cebuano 9.9%, Ilocano 8.8%, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo 8.4%, Bikol/Bicol 6.8%, Waray 4%, other local ethnicity 26.1%, other foreign ethnicity .1% (2010 est.)

0.1% (2018 est.)

1,200 (2018 est.)

77,000 (2018 est.)

1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

total: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 23.8 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 17.9 deaths/1,000 live births

unspecified Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

total population: 69.6 years (2018 est.) | male: 66.1 years | female: 73.3 years

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 96.3% | male: 95.8% | female: 96.8% (2015)

degree of risk: high (2016) | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016) | vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2016) | water contact diseases: leptospirosis (2016) | note - on 8 October 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Travel Health Notice regarding a polio outbreak in the Philippines; CDC recommends that all travelers to the Philippines be vaccinated fully against polio; before traveling to the Philippines, adults who completed their routine polio vaccine series as children should receive a single, lifetime adult booster dose of polio vaccine

13.699 million MANILA (capital), 1.785 million Davao, 967,000 Cebu City, 905,000 Zamboanga, 859,000 Antipolo (2019)

121 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

total: 23.7 years (2018 est.) | male: 23.3 years | female: 24.2 years

22.8 years (2017 est.) | note: median age at first birth among women 25-29

noun: Filipino(s) | adjective: Philippine

-1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

6.4% (2016)

1.28 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

105,893,381 (July 2018 est.)

population concentrated where good farmlands lie; highest concentrations are northwest and south-central Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and Negros; Manila is home to one-eighth of the entire national population

1.55% (2018 est.)

Roman Catholic 80.6%, Protestant 8.2% (includes Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches 2.7%, National Council of Churches in the Philippines 1.2%, other Protestant 4.3%), other Christian 3.4%, Muslim 5.6%, tribal religions .2%, other 1.9%, none .1% (2010 est.)

improved: urban: 77.9% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 70.8% of population (2015 est.) | total: 73.9% of population (2015 est.) | unimproved: urban: 22.1% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 29.2% of population (2015 est.) | total: 26.1% of population (2015 est.)

total: 13 years | male: 12 years | female: 13 years (2013)

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female | total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

2.99 children born/woman (2018 est.)

total: 7.5% | male: 6.6% | female: 8.9% (2017 est.)

urban population: 47.1% of total population (2019) | rate of urbanization: 1.99% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Jemaah Islamiyah (JI): aim(s): enhance its networks in the Philippines and, ultimately, overthrow the Philippine Government and establish a pan-Islamic state across Southeast Asia area(s) of operation: maintains an operational and recruitment presence, especially in the south (2018)

Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG): aim(s): establish an Islamic State in the Philippines' Mindanao Island and the Sulu Archipelago, and ultimately, an Islamic caliphate across Southeast Asia area(s) of operation: southern Philippines in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago region (2018) | Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA): aim(s): destabilize the Philippines' economy to inspire the populace to revolt against the government and, ultimately, overthrow the Philippine Government area(s) of operation: operates throughout most of the country, primarily in rural regions, with its strongest presence in the Sierra Madre Mountains, rural Luzon, Visayas, and parts of northern and eastern Mindanao; maintains cells in Manila, Davao City, and other metropolitan areas (2018) | Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) network in Philippines: aim(s): replace the Philippine Government with an Islamic state and implement ISIS's strict interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago region (2018)

Philippines claims sovereignty over Scarborough Reef (also claimed by China together with Taiwan) and over certain of the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf; maritime delimitation negotiations continue with Palau

domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in recent years despite government crackdowns; major consumer of amphetamines; longstanding marijuana producer mainly in rural areas where Manila's control is limited

IDPs: 301,000 (government troops fighting the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the New People's Army; clan feuds; natural disasters) (2018) | stateless persons: 1,068 (2018); note - stateless persons are descendants of Indonesian migrants

247 (2013)

total: 89 (2017) | over 3,047 m: 4 (2017) | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 33 (2017) | 914 to 1,523 m: 34 (2017) | under 914 m: 10 (2017)

total: 158 (2013) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2013) | 914 to 1,523 m: 56 (2013) | under 914 m: 99 (2013)

RP (2016)

2 (2013)

total: 1,615 | by type: bulk carrier 58, container ship 43, general cargo 654, oil tanker 191, other 669 (2018)

number of registered air carriers: 11 (2015) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 158 (2015) | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 32,230,986 (2015) | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 484,190,968 mt-km (2015)

530 km gas, 138 km oil (non-operational), 185 km refined products (2017)

major seaport(s): Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila | container port(s) (TEUs): Manila (4,782,240) (2017)

total: 77 km (2017) | standard gauge: 49 km 1.435-m gauge (2017) | narrow gauge: 28 km 1.067-m gauge (2017)

total: 216,387 km (2014) | paved: 61,093 km (2014) | unpaved: 155,294 km (2014)

3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2011)