If you lived in Philippines instead of Belgium, you would:

Health

be 53.9% less likely to be obese

In Belgium, 20.9% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Philippines, that number is 9.6% of people as of 2024.

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be 81.0% less likely to die by suicide

Belgium has a suicide rate of 18.4 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Philippines, it is 3.5 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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live 12.3 years less

In Belgium, the average life expectancy is 82 years (80 years for men, 84 years for women) as of 2024. In Philippines, that number is 70 years (67 years for men, 73 years for women) as of 2024.

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see 92.5% less spent on your healthcare

Belgium spends $7,489 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Philippines spends $560 as of 2023.

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have 77.8% fewer doctors per person

Belgium has 35.7 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2022. Philippines has 7.9 as of 2021.

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have 32.6% less access to essential health services

Belgium scores 86 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Philippines scores 58 as of 2021.

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Economy

be 62.3% less likely to be unemployed

In Belgium, 5.9% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Philippines, that number is 2.2% as of 2025.

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be 21.1% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Belgium, 12.3% live below the poverty line as of 2022. In Philippines, however, that number is 9.7% as of 2025.

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make 93.1% less money

Belgium has a GDP per capita of $60,750 as of 2025, while in Philippines, the GDP per capita is $4,171 as of 2025.

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Life

have 72.7% more children

In Belgium, there are approximately 9.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Philippines, there are 15.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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be 21.0 times more likely to die during childbirth

In Belgium, approximately 4.0 women die from pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births as of 2023. In Philippines, 84.0 women do as of 2023.

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be 7.0 times more likely to die during infancy

In Belgium, approximately 3.1 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In Philippines, on the other hand, 21.7 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 29.8% less likely to have internet access

In Belgium, approximately 95.8% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Philippines, about 67.3% do as of 2024.

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Expenditures

spend 36.8% less on education

Belgium spends 6.3% of its total GDP on education as of 2022. Philippines spends 4.0% of total GDP on education as of 2025.

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spend 52.8% less on healthcare

Belgium spends 10.8% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2023. In Philippines, that number is 5.1% of GDP as of 2023.

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Geography

see 545.7 times more coastline

Belgium has a total of 66 km of coastline. In Philippines, that number is 36,289 km.

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Safety

be 4.0 times more likely to be murdered

Belgium has a homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Philippines, that number is 4.3 per 100,000 as of 2023.

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be 2.1 times more likely to die in a road accident

In Belgium, road accidents kill 4.6 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Philippines, they kill 9.7 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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Infrastructure

live with 47.3% less strain on fresh water

Belgium withdraws 53% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Philippines withdraws 28% as of 2022.

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find 83.9% less home broadband

Belgium has 44.2 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. Philippines has 7.1 as of 2024.

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use 87.0% less electricity

Belgium uses 7,099 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2024. Philippines uses 925 kWh as of 2023.

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Environment

emit 79.5% less CO2

Belgium emits 7.3 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Philippines emits 1.5 tonnes as of 2024.

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be 6.1 times more likely to die from air pollution

In Belgium, air pollution causes 15.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Philippines, it causes 92.0 as of 2019.

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Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook. How we calculate this

Philippines: At a glance

Philippines is a sovereign country in East/Southeast Asia, with a total land area of approximately 298,170 sq km. 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 20-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. 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 has led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.
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