If you lived in Philippines instead of Democratic Republic of the Congo, you would:

Health

live 7.9 years longer

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, the average life expectancy is 62 years (60 years for men, 64 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 9.7 times more spent on your healthcare

Democratic Republic of the Congo spends $58 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Philippines spends $560 as of 2023.

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have 3.8 times more doctors per person

Democratic Republic of the Congo has 2.1 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2022. Philippines has 7.9 as of 2021.

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have 38.1% more access to essential health services

Democratic Republic of the Congo scores 42 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Philippines scores 58 as of 2021.

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be 60.2% less likely to die by suicide

Democratic Republic of the Congo has a suicide rate of 8.8 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Philippines, it is 3.5 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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be 43.8% more likely to be obese

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, 6.7% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Philippines, that number is 9.6% of people as of 2024.

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Economy

be 49.7% less likely to be unemployed

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, 4.4% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Philippines, that number is 2.2% as of 2025.

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make 5.2 times more money

Democratic Republic of the Congo has a GDP per capita of $807 as of 2025, while in Philippines, the GDP per capita is $4,171 as of 2025.

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Life

be 80.3% less likely to die during childbirth

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, approximately 427.0 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 43.8% more likely to be literate

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, the literacy rate is 68.5% as of 2023. In Philippines, it is 98.5% as of 2020.

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be 61.5% less likely to die during infancy

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, approximately 56.4 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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have 61.1% fewer children

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, there are approximately 40.9 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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Basic Needs

be 4.4 times more likely to have access to electricity

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, approximately 22% of people have electricity access (56% in urban areas, and 1% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Philippines, that number is 98% of people on average (98% in urban areas, and 98% in rural areas) as of 2023.

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be 3.4 times more likely to have internet access

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, approximately 19.7% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Philippines, about 67.3% do as of 2024.

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be 2.7 times more likely to have access to drinking water

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, approximately 36% of people have access to drinking water (59% in urban areas, and 14% in rural areas) as of 2024. In Philippines, that number is 96% of people on average (98% in urban areas, and 94% in rural areas) as of 2024.

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Expenditures

spend 39.8% more on education

Democratic Republic of the Congo spends 2.8% 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 38.6% more on healthcare

Democratic Republic of the Congo spends 3.7% 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 980.8 times more coastline

Democratic Republic of the Congo has a total of 37 km of coastline. In Philippines, that number is 36,289 km.

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Safety

be 40.5% less likely to die in a road accident

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, road accidents kill 16.3 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Philippines, they kill 9.7 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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Infrastructure

find 238.0 times more home broadband

Democratic Republic of the Congo has 0.0 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. Philippines has 7.1 as of 2024.

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use 7.2 times more electricity

Democratic Republic of the Congo uses 129 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Philippines uses 925 kWh as of 2023.

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live with 121.0 times more strain on fresh water

Democratic Republic of the Congo withdraws 0% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Philippines withdraws 28% as of 2022.

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Environment

be 27.8% more likely to die from air pollution

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, air pollution causes 72.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Philippines, it causes 92.0 as of 2019.

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emit 25.0 times more CO2

Democratic Republic of the Congo emits 0.1 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Philippines emits 1.5 tonnes as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2020–2025), 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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