2016 Edition

Background

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.

Area

300,000 sq km 298,170 sq km 1,830 sq km

land

298,170 sq km

total

300,000 sq km

water

1,830 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona

Climate

tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Coastline

36,289 km

Elevation

442 m lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m

highest point

Mount Apo 2,954 m

mean elevation

442 m

Environment - current issues

uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geographic coordinates

13 00 N, 122 00 E

Geography - note

the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait

the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies

the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait

Irrigated land

16,270 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

41% arable land 18.2%; permanent crops 17.8%; permanent pasture 5% 25.9% 33.1% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

41%

forest

25.9%

other

33.1% (2011 est.)

Location

Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea as wide as 285 nm 200 nm to the depth of exploitation

continental shelf

to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea as wide as 285 nm

Natural hazards

astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms each year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis significant volcanic activity; Taal (elev. 311 m), which has shown recent unrest and may erupt in the near future, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (elev. 2,462 m), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 forcing over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo and Ragang

volcanism

significant volcanic activity; Taal (elev. 311 m), which has shown recent unrest and may erupt in the near future, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (elev. 2,462 m), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 forcing over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo and Ragang

Natural resources

timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper

Terrain

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Age structure

33.71% (male 17,652,419/female 16,943,261) 19.17% (male 10,042,520/female 9,629,762) 36.86% (male 19,204,977/female 18,618,333) 5.89% (male 2,758,867/female 3,282,416) 4.38% (male 1,863,339/female 2,628,315) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

33.71% (male 17,652,419/female 16,943,261)

15-24 years

19.17% (male 10,042,520/female 9,629,762)

25-54 years

36.86% (male 19,204,977/female 18,618,333)

55-64 years

5.89% (male 2,758,867/female 3,282,416)

65 years and over

4.38% (male 1,863,339/female 2,628,315) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

24 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

19.9% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

48.9% (2011)

Death rate

6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Dependency ratios

57.6% 50.3% 7.2% 13.9% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

7.2%

potential support ratio

13.9% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

57.6%

youth dependency ratio

50.3%

Drinking water source

urban: 93.7% of population rural: 90.3% of population total: 91.8% of population urban: 6.3% of population rural: 9.7% of population total: 8.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

9.7% of population

total

8.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

6.3% of population

Education expenditures

2.7% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census)

Health expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.08% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

600 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

42,500 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

21.9 deaths/1,000 live births 24.8 deaths/1,000 live births 18.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

18.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

24.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

21.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Life expectancy at birth

69.2 years 65.7 years 72.9 years (2016 est.)

female

72.9 years (2016 est.)

male

65.7 years

total population

69.2 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 96.3% 95.8% 96.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.8% (2015 est.)

male

95.8%

total population

96.3%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria leptospirosis (2016)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria

water contact disease

leptospirosis (2016)

Major urban areas - population

MANILA (capital) 12.946 million; Davao 1.63 million; Cebu City 951,000; Zamboanga 936,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

114 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

23.4 years 22.9 years 23.8 years (2016 est.)

female

23.8 years (2016 est.)

male

22.9 years

total

23.4 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2013 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2013 est.)

Nationality

Filipino(s) Philippine

adjective

Philippine

noun

Filipino(s)

Net migration rate

-2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.7% (2014)

Population

102,624,209 (July 2016 est.)

Population growth rate

1.59% (2016 est.)

Religions

Catholic 82.9% (Roman Catholic 80.9%, Aglipayan 2%), Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 77.9% of population rural: 70.8% of population total: 73.9% of population urban: 22.1% of population rural: 29.2% of population total: 26.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

29.2% of population

total

26.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

22.1% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 12 years 13 years (2013)

female

13 years (2013)

male

12 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.84 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.72 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.06 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

16.2% 15.1% 17.8% (2013 est.)

female

17.8% (2013 est.)

male

15.1%

total

16.2%

Urbanization

44.4% of total population (2015) 1.32% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.32% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

44.4% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

80 provinces and 39 chartered cities Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Compostela, Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga (2012)

chartered cities

Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga (2012)

provinces

Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Compostela, Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay

Capital

Manila 14 36 N, 120 58 E UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

14 36 N, 120 58 E

name

Manila

time difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of the Philippines no 10 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of the Philippines

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

10 years

Constitution

several previous; latest ratified 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 (2016)

Country name

Republic of the Philippines Philippines Republika ng Pilipinas Pilipinas named in honor of King Phillip II of Spain by Spanish explorer Ruy LOPEZ de VILLALOBOS, who visited some of the islands in 1543

conventional long form

Republic of the Philippines

conventional short form

Philippines

etymology

named in honor of King Phillip II of Spain by Spanish explorer Ruy LOPEZ de VILLALOBOS, who visited some of the islands in 1543

local long form

Republika ng Pilipinas

local short form

Pilipinas

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Philip S. GOLDBERG (since 2 December 2013) 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000 PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000 [63] (2) 301-2000 [63] (2) 301-2017

chief of mission

Ambassador Philip S. GOLDBERG (since 2 December 2013)

embassy

1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000

FAX

[63] (2) 301-2017

mailing address

PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000

telephone

[63] (2) 301-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Ad interim Patrick A. CHUASOTO 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 467-9300 [1] (202) 328-7614 Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New Yoek, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam)

chancery

1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Ad interim Patrick A. CHUASOTO

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New Yoek, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam)

FAX

[1] (202) 328-7614

telephone

[1] (202) 467-9300

Executive branch

President Rodrigo DUTERTE (since 30 June 2016); Vice President Leni ROBREDO (since 30 June 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Rodrigo DUTERTE (since 30 June 2016) Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments, an independent body of 25 Congressional members including the Senate president (ex officio chairman), appointed by the president president and vice president directly elected on separate ballots by simple majority popular vote for a single 6-year term; election last held on 9 May 2016 (next to be held on May 2022) Rodrigo DUTERTE elected president; percent of vote - Rodrigo DUTERTE (PDP-Laban) 39%, Manuel "Mar" ROXAS (LP) 23.4%, Grace POE (independent) 21.4%, Jejomar BINAY (UNA) 12.7%, Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO (PRP) 3%; Leni ROBREDO elected vice president; percent of vote Leni ROBREDO (LP) 35.1%, Bongbong MARCOS (independent) 34.5%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments, an independent body of 25 Congressional members including the Senate president (ex officio chairman), appointed by the president

chief of state

President Rodrigo DUTERTE (since 30 June 2016); Vice President Leni ROBREDO (since 30 June 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Rodrigo DUTERTE elected president; percent of vote - Rodrigo DUTERTE (PDP-Laban) 39%, Manuel "Mar" ROXAS (LP) 23.4%, Grace POE (independent) 21.4%, Jejomar BINAY (UNA) 12.7%, Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO (PRP) 3%; Leni ROBREDO elected vice president; percent of vote Leni ROBREDO (LP) 35.1%, Bongbong MARCOS (independent) 34.5%

elections/appointments

president and vice president directly elected on separate ballots by simple majority popular vote for a single 6-year term; election last held on 9 May 2016 (next to be held on May 2022)

head of government

President Rodrigo DUTERTE (since 30 June 2016)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star; blue stands for peace and justice, red symbolizes courage, the white equal-sided triangle represents equality; the rays recall the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, while the stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897 in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top

note

in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star; b

Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

4 July 1946 (from the US)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CICA (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 14 associate justices) justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council, a constitutionally-created, 6-member body that recommends Supreme Court nominees; justices serve until age 70 Court of Appeals; Sandiganbayan (special court for corruption cases of government officials); Court of Tax Appeals; regional, metropolitan, and municipal trial courts; sharia courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 14 associate justices)

judge selection and term of office

justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council, a constitutionally-created, 6-member body that recommends Supreme Court nominees; justices serve until age 70

subordinate courts

Court of Appeals; Sandiganbayan (special court for corruption cases of government officials); Court of Tax Appeals; regional, metropolitan, and municipal trial courts; sharia courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil, common, Islamic, and customary law

Legislative branch

bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (292 seats; 234 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 58 representing minorities directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 3-year terms) Senate - elections last held on 13 May 2013 (next to be held in May 2016); House of Representatives - elections last held on 13 May 2013 (next to be held in May 2016) Senate - percent of vote by party for 2013 election - UNA 26.94%, NP 15.3%, LP 11.32%, NPC 10.15%, LDP 5.38%, PDP-Laban 4.95%, others 9.72%, independents 16.24%; seats by party after 2013 election - UNA 5, NP 5, LP 4, Lakas 2, NPC 2, LDP 1, PDP-Laban 1, PRP 1, independents 3; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LP 38.3%, NPC 17.4%, UNA 11.4%, NUP 8.7%, NP 8.5%, Lakas 5.3%, independents 6.0%, others 4.4%; seats by party - LP 110, NPC 43, NUP 24, NP 17, Lakas 14, UNA 8, independents 6, others 12; party-list 57

description

bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (292 seats; 234 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 58 representing minorities directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 3-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party for 2013 election - UNA 26.94%, NP 15.3%, LP 11.32%, NPC 10.15%, LDP 5.38%, PDP-Laban 4.95%, others 9.72%, independents 16.24%; seats by party after 2013 election - UNA 5, NP 5, LP 4, Lakas 2, NPC 2, LDP 1, PDP-Laban 1, PRP 1, independents 3; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LP 38.3%, NPC 17.4%, UNA 11.4%, NUP 8.7%, NP 8.5%, Lakas 5.3%, independents 6.0%, others 4.4%; seats by party - LP 110, NPC 43, NUP 24, NP 17, Lakas 14, UNA 8, independents 6, others 12; party-list 57

elections

Senate - elections last held on 13 May 2013 (next to be held in May 2016); House of Representatives - elections last held on 13 May 2013 (next to be held in May 2016)

National anthem

"Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land) Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA de Leon)/Julian FELIPE music adopted 1898, original Spanish lyrics adopted 1899, Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; although the original lyrics were written in Spanish, later English and Filipino versions were created; today, only the Filipino version is used

lyrics/music

Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA de Leon)/Julian FELIPE

name

"Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land)

note

music adopted 1898, original Spanish lyrics adopted 1899, Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; although the original lyrics were written in Spanish, later English and Filipino versions were created; today, only the Filipino version is used

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from the US

National symbol(s)

three stars and sun, Philippine eagle; national colors: red, white, blue, yellow

three stars and sun, Philippine eagle; national colors

red, white, blue, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA] Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD [Ferdinand Martin ROMUALDEZ, president] Liberal Party or LP [Joseph Emilio ABAYA, president] Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel "Manny" VILLAR] Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUNGCO, Jr.] PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL III] People's Reform Party or PRP [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO] Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Force of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA] United Nationalist Alliance or UNA [Toby TIANGCO (acting)] - PDP-Laban and PMP coalition for the 2013 election

Political pressure groups and leaders

Black and White Movement [Vicente ROMANO] Kilosbayan [Jovito SALONGA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassava (manioc, tapioca), pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish

Budget

$46.35 billion $49.02 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$49.02 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$46.35 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.13% (31 December 2015) 6.13% (31 December 2014)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.58% (31 December 2015 est.) 5.53% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

$8.396 billion (2015 est.) $10.76 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$77.46 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $77.66 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46 (2012) 46.4 (2009)

Economy - overview

The economy has been relatively resilient to global economic shocks due to less exposure to troubled international securities, lower dependence on exports, relatively resilient domestic consumption, large remittances from about 10 million overseas Filipino workers and migrants, and a rapidly expanding outsourcing industry. The current account balance has recorded consecutive surpluses since 2003, international reserves remain at comfortable levels, and the banking system is stable. Efforts to improve tax administration and expenditures management have helped ease the Philippines' debt burden and tight fiscal situation. The Philippines has received investment-grade credit ratings on its sovereign debt under the AQUINO administration and has had little difficulty financing its budget deficits. However, weak absorptive capacity and implementation bottlenecks have prevented the government from maximizing its expenditure plans, which the administration has been working to address. Although it has improved, the low tax-to-GDP ratio remains a constraint to supporting increasingly higher spending levels and sustaining strong growth over the longer term. Economic growth has accelerated, averaging 6.0% per year from 2011 to 2015, compared with 4.5% under the MACAPAGAL-ARROYO government; and competitiveness rankings have improved. The Philippines has not sustained steady growth in foreign direct investment, which continues to lag regional peers. Although the economy has grown at a faster pace under the AQUINO government, challenges to achieving more inclusive growth remain. The unemployment rate has declined somewhat in recent years but remains high, hovering at around 6.5%; underemployment is also high, ranging from 18% to 19% of the employed. At least 40% of the employed work in the informal sector. Poverty afflicts about a quarter of the population. More than 60% of the poor reside in rural areas, a challenge to raising rural farm and non-farm incomes. The AQUINO administration has been working to boost expenditures for education, health, transfers to the poor, and other social spending programs. Infrastructure remains underfunded and the government is relying on the private sector to help with major projects under its Public-Private Partnership program. Continued efforts are needed to improve governance, the judicial system, the regulatory environment, and the overall ease of doing business. Notable achievements over the past year include passage of laws that liberalized the entry of foreign banks into the country; partially relaxed the cabotage law by allowing foreign vessels to ply import and export cargo within the archipelago; and passage of anti-trust legislation. Substantial progress has also been made towards passage of a Customs Tariff and Modernization Act to meet international standards and commitments, with strong prospects of enactment into law before President AQUINO steps down from office. However, the Philippine Constitution and other laws restrict foreign ownership in important activities/sectors - such as land ownership and public utilities.

Exchange rates

Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 45.503 (2015 est.) 44.395 (2014 est.) 44.395 (2013 est.) 42.23 (2012 est.) 43.313 (2011 est.)

Exports

$43.28 billion (2015 est.) $49.82 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits

Exports - partners

Japan 21.1%, US 15%, China 10.9%, Hong Kong 10.6%, Singapore 6.2%, Germany 4.5%, South Korea 4.3% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

73.9% 11% 21.5% -1% 28.2% -33.5% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

28.2%

government consumption

11%

household consumption

73.9%

imports of goods and services

-33.5% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

21.5%

investment in inventories

-1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

10.3% 30.8% 59% (2015 est.)

agriculture

10.3%

industry

30.8%

services

59% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$7,300 (2015 est.) $7,000 (2014 est.) $6,700 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.8% (2015 est.) 6.1% (2014 est.) 7.1% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$292 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$741 billion (2015 est.) $700.4 billion (2014 est.) $659.9 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

23.4% of GDP (2015 est.) 24.3% of GDP (2014 est.) 24.2% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.9% 30.5% (2012 est.)

highest 10%

30.5% (2012 est.)

lowest 10%

2.9%

Imports

$64.97 billion (2015 est.) $67.16 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic

Imports - partners

China 16.2%, US 10.8%, Japan 9.6%, Singapore 7%, South Korea 6.5%, Thailand 6.4%, Malaysia 4.8%, Indonesia 4.4% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

6% (2015 est.)

Industries

electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.3% (2015 est.) 4.2% (2014 est.)

Labor force

41.76 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

29% 16% 55% (2015 est.)

agriculture

29%

industry

16%

services

55% (2015 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$286.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $318.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $268.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

25.2% (2012 est.)

Public debt

44.8% of GDP (2015 est.) 45.4% of GDP (2014 est.) data cover debt issued by the national government, and excludes debt instruments issued by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by social security institutions, government-owned and controlled corporations, the Central Bank, and local government units

note

data cover debt issued by the national government, and excludes debt instruments issued by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by social security institutions, government-owned and controlled corporations, the Central Bank, and local government units

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$80.67 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $79.54 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$179.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $172.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$41.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $35.79 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$59.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $56.65 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$166.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $158.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$56.56 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $51.92 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.3% (2015 est.) 6.8% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

88 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

13,710 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

1.503 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

24,120 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

100 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

66 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

68% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

20.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

11.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

19 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

74 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

20,600,000 88% 94% 82% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

82% (2013)

electrification - total population

88%

electrification - urban areas

94%

population without electricity

20,600,000

Natural gas - consumption

3.339 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

3.47 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

329,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

219,800 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1.577 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1.373 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

multiple national private TV and radio networks; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; more than 350 TV stations - 6 major TV networks operating nationwide with 1 being government owned; about 1,300 cable TV providers with more than 2 million subscribers, and some 1,300 radio stations; the Philippines adopted Japan’s Integrated Service Digital Broadcast – Terrestrial standard for digital terrestrial television in November 2013 and is scheduled to complete the switch from analog to digital broadcasting by the end of 2015 (2015)

Internet country code

.ph

Internet users

41.106 million 40.7% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

40.7% (July 2015 est.)

total

41.106 million

Telephone system

good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate telecommunications infrastructure includes the following platforms: fixed line, mobile cellular, cable TV, over-the-air TV, radio and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), fiber-optic cable, and satellite for redundant international connectivity country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide connectivity to the US, and to countries like Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Brunei, and Malaysia, among others; multiple international gateways (2015)

domestic

telecommunications infrastructure includes the following platforms: fixed line, mobile cellular, cable TV, over-the-air TV, radio and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), fiber-optic cable, and satellite for redundant international connectivity

general assessment

good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate

international

country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide connectivity to the US, and to countries like Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Brunei, and Malaysia, among others; multiple international gateways (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

3.039 million 3 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

3 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

3.039 million

Telephones - mobile cellular

120.255 million 119 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

119 (July 2015 est.)

total

120.255 million

Airports

247 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

10 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

33

2,438 to 3,047 m

8

914 to 1,523 m

34

over 3,047 m

4

total

89

under 914 m

10 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

99 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

56

total

158

under 914 m

99 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

RP (2016)

Heliports

2 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 76, cargo 152, carrier 12, chemical tanker 27, container 17, liquefied gas 5, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 65, petroleum tanker 44, refrigerated cargo 20, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 10 159 (Bermuda 47, China 4, Denmark 2, Germany 2, Greece 5, Japan 77, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 17, Singapore 1, South Korea 1, Taiwan 1, UAE 1) 7 (Cyprus 1, Panama 5, unknown 1) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 76, cargo 152, carrier 12, chemical tanker 27, container 17, liquefied gas 5, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 65, petroleum tanker 44, refrigerated cargo 20, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 10

foreign-owned

159 (Bermuda 47, China 4, Denmark 2, Germany 2, Greece 5, Japan 77, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 17, Singapore 1, South Korea 1, Taiwan 1, UAE 1)

registered in other countries

7 (Cyprus 1, Panama 5, unknown 1) (2010)

total

446

National air transport system

32,230,986 484,190,968 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

484,190,968 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

32,230,986

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

158

number of registered air carriers

11

Pipelines

gas 567 km; oil 138 km; refined products 185 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila Manila (3,342,200)

container port(s) (TEUs)

Manila (3,342,200)

major seaport(s)

Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila

Railways

995 km 995 km 1.067-m gauge (484 km are in operation) (2015)

narrow gauge

995 km 1.067-m gauge (484 km are in operation) (2015)

total

995 km

Roadways

216,387 km 61,093 km 155,294 km (2014)

paved

61,093 km

total

216,387 km

unpaved

155,294 km (2014)

Transportation - note

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift

Waterways

3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2011)

Military branches

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2013)

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2013)

Military expenditures

1.19% of GDP (2012) 1.21% of GDP (2011) 1.19% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

17-23 years of age (officers 20-24) for voluntary military service; no conscription; applicants must be single male or female Philippine citizens with either 72 college credit hours (enlisted) or a baccalaureate degree (officers) (2013)

Disputes - international

Philippines claims sovereignty over Scarborough Reef (also claimed by China together with Taiwan) and over certain of the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf; maritime delimitation negotiations continue with Palau

Illicit drugs

domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in recent years despite government crackdowns; major consumer of amphetamines; longstanding marijuana producer mainly in rural areas where Manila's control is limited

Refugees and internally displaced persons

63,174 (government troops fighting the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the New People's Army; clan feuds; natural disasters including Typhoon Bopha (December 2012), the Bohol earthquake (October 2013), Typhoon Haiyan (November 2013), and Typhoon Hagupit (December 2014)) (2015) 7,138 (2015); note - stateless persons are descendants of Indonesian migrants

IDPs

63,174 (government troops fighting the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the New People's Army; clan feuds; natural disasters including Typhoon Bopha (December 2012), the Bohol earthquake (October 2013), Typhoon Haiyan (November 2013), and Typhoon Hagupit (December 2014)) (2015)

stateless persons

7,138 (2015); note - stateless persons are descendants of Indonesian migrants