Philippines flag

Philippines

Southeast Asia · Asia
Population
115.8M
GDP (Nominal)
$461.6B
Capital City
Manila
Currency
PHP (₱)
Avg Salary
$400/mo
Region
Southeast Asia

Livability Index 2026

33.6/100
Cost of Living
6/100
Avg Salary
57.2/100
Safety
67.4/100
Healthcare
55/100
Education
62/100
Overall Livability

Institutional Summary

The Philippines is a tropical archipelago of over 7,000 islands known for its stunning beaches and world-famous hospitality. With English widely spoken and a highly accessible retirement visa, it is a haven for expats, though residents must navigate severe traffic in Manila and frequent typhoons.

Cost of Living

Monthly Rent (1BR)$350
Monthly Groceries$160
Monthly Transport$30
Utilities & Internet$100
Estimated Total Monthly
$640 /person

AI Algorithm Summary

Major Strengths

  • Extremely affordable cost of living
  • Accessible immigration and visa pathways

Algorithmic Red Flags

  • High income tax burden (35%)

Economic Performance

📊 Growing
GDP Per Capita
$3,986
Inflation Rate
3.2%
Unemployment
3.8%
5-Year GDP Trend

Migration & Visa

Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)
9(G) Pre-Arranged Employee Visa
9(A) Temporary Visitor’s Visa
Visa Difficulty
3/10
PR Eligibility
Accessible through the SRRV or marriage; other paths take years

Employment Landscape

Avg Monthly Salary
$400
Trending
Top Performing Industries
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) & IT
Tourism
Electronics Assembly
Agriculture

Social Indicators

Life Expectancy
71.3 Yrs
Literacy Rate
96%
Top Universities (QS Rank)
University of the Philippines (UP)#362
Ateneo de Manila University#500
De La Salle University (DLSU)#700

Compare Philippines

Benchmark against other Tier-1 economies provides critical context for relocation or institutional investment decisions.