Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 2.0 years longer

In Laos, the average life expectancy is 68 years (66 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2022. In Philippines, that number is 70 years (67 years for men, 74 years for women) as of 2022.

be 20.8% more likely to be obese

In Laos, 5.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Philippines, that number is 6.4% of people as of 2016.

Economy

be 37.7% less likely to be unemployed

In Laos, 3.8% of adults are unemployed as of 2022. In Philippines, that number is 2.4% as of 2022.

pay a 33.3% higher top tax rate

Laos has a top tax rate of 24.0% as of 2016. In Philippines, the top tax rate is 32.0% as of 2016.

Life

be 38.1% less likely to die during childbirth

In Laos, approximately 126.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Philippines, 78.0 women do as of 2020.

be 10.6% more likely to be literate

In Laos, the literacy rate is 87.1% as of 2021. In Philippines, it is 96.3% as of 2019.

be 41.2% less likely to die during infancy

In Laos, approximately 37.8 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Philippines, on the other hand, 22.2 children do as of 2022.

have 11.6% more children

In Laos, there are approximately 19.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Philippines, there are 22.1 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 14.5% less likely to have internet access

In Laos, approximately 62.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Philippines, about 53.0% do as of 2021.

Expenditures

spend 60.9% more on education

Laos spends 2.3% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Philippines spends 3.7% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

spend 88.9% more on healthcare

Laos spends 2.7% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Philippines, that number is 5.1% of GDP as of 2020.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Ministry of Finance, Bureau of Internal Revenue.

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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