Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Philippines instead of Puerto Rico, you would:

Health

be 77.3% less likely to be obese

In Puerto Rico, 42.4% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Philippines, that number is 9.6% of people as of 2024.

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be 35.6% less likely to die by suicide

Puerto Rico has a suicide rate of 5.4 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Philippines, it is 3.5 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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live 12.0 years less

In Puerto Rico, the average life expectancy is 82 years (78 years for men, 85 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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Economy

be 62.8% less likely to be unemployed

In Puerto Rico, 6.0% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Philippines, that number is 2.2% as of 2025.

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make 89.7% less money

Puerto Rico has a GDP per capita of $40,620 as of 2025, while in Philippines, the GDP per capita is $4,171 as of 2025.

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Life

have 2.8 times more children

In Puerto Rico, there are approximately 5.7 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 7.6 times more likely to die during childbirth

In Puerto Rico, approximately 11.0 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 3.6 times more likely to die during infancy

In Puerto Rico, approximately 6.0 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Philippines, on the other hand, 21.7 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 22.9% less likely to have internet access

In Puerto Rico, approximately 87.3% of the population has internet access as of 2022. In Philippines, about 67.3% do as of 2024.

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Geography

see 72.4 times more coastline

Puerto Rico has a total of 501 km of coastline. In Philippines, that number is 36,289 km.

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Safety

be 70.2% less likely to be murdered

Puerto Rico has a homicide rate of 14.6 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Philippines, that number is 4.3 per 100,000 as of 2023.

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be 22.4% less likely to die in a road accident

In Puerto Rico, road accidents kill 12.5 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 74.5% less home broadband

Puerto Rico has 28.0 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. Philippines has 7.1 as of 2024.

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live with 42.4% more strain on fresh water

Puerto Rico withdraws 20% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Philippines withdraws 28% as of 2022.

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Environment

emit 68.9% less CO2

Puerto Rico emits 4.8 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 (2021–2025), The World Factbook (2022), World Health Organization (2024), United Nations SDG Indicators (2021). How we calculate this

Compare further: Puerto Rico vs. Philippines

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Philippines is 60.8% cheaper than Puerto Rico overall
→
Size Comparison · See true size
Puerto Rico is about 33 times smaller than Philippines.
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Moving from Puerto Rico to Philippines · UN DESA 2020
53 people born in Puerto Rico live in Philippines.
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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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