Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Philippines instead of South Korea, you would:

Health

live 12.8 years less

In South Korea, the average life expectancy is 83 years (80 years for men, 86 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 36.2% more likely to be obese

In South Korea, 4.7% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Philippines, that number is 6.4% of people as of 2016.

Economy

be 15.5% less likely to be unemployed

In South Korea, 2.6% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Philippines, that number is 2.2% as of 2023.

pay a 15.8% lower top tax rate

South Korea has a top tax rate of 38.0% as of 2016. In Philippines, the top tax rate is 32.0% as of 2016.

make 80.8% less money

South Korea has a GDP per capita of $50,600 as of 2023, while in Philippines, the GDP per capita is $9,700 as of 2023.

be 25.7% more likely to live below the poverty line

In South Korea, 14.4% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Philippines, however, that number is 18.1% as of 2021.

Life

have 3.2 times more children

In South Korea, there are approximately 6.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022. In Philippines, there are 22.1 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

be 9.8 times more likely to die during childbirth

In South Korea, approximately 8.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Philippines, 78.0 women do as of 2020.

be 7.7 times more likely to die during infancy

In South Korea, approximately 2.9 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.

Basic Needs

be 45.9% less likely to have internet access

In South Korea, approximately 98.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Philippines, about 53.0% do as of 2021.

Expenditures

spend 21.3% less on education

South Korea spends 4.7% of its total GDP on education as of 2019. Philippines spends 3.7% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

spend 39.3% less on healthcare

South Korea spends 8.4% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Philippines, that number is 5.1% of GDP as of 2020.

Geography

see 15.0 times more coastline

South Korea has a total of 2,413 km of coastline. In Philippines, that number is 36,289 km.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, National Tax Service, South Korea, 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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