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East & Southeast Asia :: Philippines

- ## Introduction :: PHILIPPINES

- 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.

- ## Geography :: PHILIPPINES

- Location:
  Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
  Geographic coordinates:
  13 00 N, 122 00 E
  Map references:
  Southeast Asia
  Area:
  total: 300,000 sq km
  land: 298,170 sq km
  water: 1,830 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 73
  Area - comparative:
  slightly less than twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona
  Area comparison map:
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  36,289 km
  Maritime claims:
  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
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  continental shelf: to the depth of exploitation
  Climate:
  tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
  Terrain:
  mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
  highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
  Natural resources:
  timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 41%
  arable land 18.2%; permanent crops 17.8%; permanent pasture 5%
  forest: 25.9%
  other: 33.1% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  18,790 sq km (2006)
  Total renewable water resources:
  479 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 81.56 cu km/yr (8%/10%/82%)
  per capita: 859.9 cu m/yr (2009)
  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
  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
  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:
  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
  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

- ## People and Society :: PHILIPPINES

- Nationality:
  noun: Filipino(s)
  adjective: Philippine
  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)
  Languages:
  Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
  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)
  Population:
  100,998,376 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 13
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 34.02% (male 17,531,370/female 16,828,067)
  15-24 years: 19.18% (male 9,891,032/female 9,484,089)
  25-54 years: 36.72% (male 18,810,887/female 18,273,641)
  55-64 years: 5.8% (male 2,673,756/female 3,183,809)
  65 years and over: 4.28% (male 1,802,632/female 2,519,093) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 57.6%
  youth dependency ratio: 50.3%
  elderly dependency ratio: 7.2%
  potential support ratio: 13.9% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 23.2 years
  male: 22.8 years
  female: 23.7 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.61% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 74
  Birth rate:
  24.27 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 59
  Death rate:
  6.11 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Net migration rate:
  -2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 169
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 44.4% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 1.32% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  MANILA (capital) 12.946 million; Davao 1.63 million; Cebu City 951,000; Zamboanga 936,000 (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  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
  total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 22.34 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 25.27 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 19.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 68.96 years
  male: 65.47 years
  female: 72.62 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Total fertility rate:
  3.09 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 53
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  48.9% (2011)
  Health expenditures:
  4.4% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Hospital bed density:
  1 beds/1,000 population (2011)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 93.7% of population
  rural: 90.3% of population
  total: 91.8% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 6.3% of population
  rural: 9.7% of population
  total: 8.2% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 77.9% of population
  rural: 70.8% of population
  total: 73.9% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 22.1% of population
  rural: 29.2% of population
  total: 26.1% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.06% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  35,600 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  500 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  Major infectious diseases:
  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 (2013)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  4.7% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  20.2% (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 29
  Education expenditures:
  2.7% of GDP (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 96.3%
  male: 95.8%
  female: 96.8% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 11 years
  male: 11 years
  female: 11 years (2009)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 16.3%
  male: 15.2%
  female: 18.3% (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 74

- ## Government :: PHILIPPINES

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
  conventional short form: Philippines
  local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
  local short form: Pilipinas
  Government type:
  republic
  Capital:
  name: Manila
  geographic coordinates: 14 36 N, 120 58 E
  time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  80 provinces and 39 chartered cities
  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, 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 Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, 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
  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)
  Independence:
  4 July 1946 (from the US)
  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
  Constitution:
  several previous; latest ratified 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 (2013)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system of civil, common, Islamic, and customary law
  International law organization participation:
  accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Benigno AQUINO (since 30 June 2010); Vice President Jejomar BINAY (since 30 June 2010); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Benigno AQUINO (since 30 June 2010)
  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
  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 10 May 2010 (next to be held in May 2016)
  election results: Benigno AQUINO elected president; percent of vote - Benigno AQUINO (LP) 42.1%, Joseph ESTRADA (PMP) 26.3%, Gilberto EODORA (LAKAS-CMD) 11.3%, other 20.3% ; Jejomar BINAY elected vice president; percent of vote Jejomar BINAY 41.6%, Manuel "Mar" ROXAS (LP) 39.6%, six others 18.8%
  Legislative branch:
  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 (287 seats; 230 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 57 representing minorities directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 3-year terms)
  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)
  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
  Judicial branch:
  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
  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 [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]
  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
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Jose L. CUISIA Jr. (since 7 April 2011)
  chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
  telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300
  FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614
  consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam)
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Philip S. GOLDBERG (since 2 December 2013)
  embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000
  mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000
  telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000
  FAX: [63] (2) 301-2017
  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
  note: in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top
  National symbol(s):
  three stars and sun, Philippine eagle; national colors: red, white, blue, yellow
  National anthem:
  name: "Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land)
  lyrics/music: Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA de Leon)/Julian FELIPE
  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

- ## Economy :: PHILIPPINES

- Economy - overview:
  The economy has weathered global economic shocks better than its regional peers due to less exposure to troubled international securities, lower dependence on exports, relatively resilient domestic consumption, large remittances from four- to five-million overseas Filipino workers, 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; the stock market resumed an upward trajectory in 2014, climbing to new record highs during the first four months of 2015. Efforts to improve tax administration and management of expenditures have helped ease the Philippines' tight fiscal situation and reduce debt levels. Nevertheless, government taxation and spending remain weak. The Philippines has received investment-grade credit ratings on its sovereign debt under the AQUINO administration and has had little difficulty financing its deficits. Economic growth has accelerated, averaging 6.0% per year from 2011-2014, compared with 4.5% under the MACAPAGAL-ARROYO government; competitiveness has improved; and foreign direct investment hit a historic high in 2014, although it continues to lag compared with the rest of the region. Unemployment has remained high, hovering at around 7% of the population, and underemployment is nearly 20%. At least 40% of the employed work in the informal sector and poverty afflicts about a quarter of the population. 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. Other long term challenges include reforming governance, the judicial system, and the regulatory environment, and improving the ease of doing business. The Philippine Constitution and other laws restrict foreign ownership in important activities/sectors - such as land ownership and public utilities. Some progress has been made in establishing a Customs Modernization Act to meet international standards and commitments.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $692.2 billion (2014 est.)
  $652.4 billion (2013 est.)
  $608.7 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 30
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $284.9 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  6.1% (2014 est.)
  7.2% (2013 est.)
  6.8% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 30
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $7,000 (2014 est.)
  $6,600 (2013 est.)
  $6,100 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Gross national saving:
  23.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
  23.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
  20.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 60
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 72.5%
  government consumption: 10.7%
  investment in fixed capital: 20.5%
  investment in inventories: -0.8%
  exports of goods and services: 29.1%
  imports of goods and services: -32%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 11.3%
  industry: 31.2%
  services: 57.4% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassava (manioc, tapioca), pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish
  Industries:
  electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing
  Industrial production growth rate:
  7.5% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 25
  Labor force:
  40.05 million (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 16
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 30%
  industry: 16%
  services: 54% (2014 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  6.8% (2014 est.)
  7.2% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 78
  Population below poverty line:
  25.2% (2012 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 2.9%
  highest 10%: 30.5% (2012 est.)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  46 (2012)
  46.4 (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 42
  Budget:
  revenues: $42.98 billion
  expenditures: $44.63 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  15.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -0.6% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 68
  Public debt:
  45.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
  49.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
  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
  country comparison to the world: 72
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  4.1% (2014 est.)
  3% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Central bank discount rate:
  6.13% (31 December 2014)
  5.63% (31 December 2013)
  country comparison to the world: 71
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  4.56% (31 December 2014 est.)
  4.35% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  Stock of narrow money:
  $51.86 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $46.07 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 46
  Stock of broad money:
  $172.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $156 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 41
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $157.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $134.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 44
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $318.7 billion (31 December 2014)
  $268.8 billion (31 December 2013)
  $266.3 billion (31 December 2012)
  country comparison to the world: 31
  Current account balance:
  $12.65 billion (2014 est.)
  $11.38 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 29
  Exports:
  $47.76 billion (2014 est.)
  $44.51 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 58
  Exports - commodities:
  semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits
  Exports - partners:
  Japan 22.5%, US 14.1%, China 13%, Hong Kong 9.1%, Singapore 7.2%, Germany 4.3%, South Korea 4.1% (2014)
  Imports:
  $63.61 billion (2014 est.)
  $62.17 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 41
  Imports - commodities:
  electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic
  Imports - partners:
  China 15%, US 8.7%, Japan 8.1%, South Korea 7.8%, Singapore 7%, Thailand 5.3%, Saudi Arabia 5%, Malaysia 4.8%, Indonesia 4.7%, Germany 4.2% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $79.54 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $83.19 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 29
  Debt - external:
  $77.67 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $78.49 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 57
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $57.09 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $42.28 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 61
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $35.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $13.19 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 50
  Exchange rates:
  Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar -
  44.395 (2014 est.)
  42.446 (2013 est.)
  42.23 (2012 est.)
  43.313 (2011 est.)
  45.11 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: PHILIPPINES

- Electricity - production:
  72.92 billion kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 41
  Electricity - consumption:
  72.92 billion kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 43
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 188
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  17.03 million kW (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 44
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  66.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 122
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 169
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  21.5% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 91
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  12.3% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 28
  Crude oil - production:
  24,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 69
  Crude oil - exports:
  65,590 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Crude oil - imports:
  1.503 million bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 34
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  138.5 million bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 68
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  1.373 million bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 58
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  299,400 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 43
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  219,800 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 73
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  1.577 million bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 36
  Natural gas - production:
  3.691 billion cu m (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 55
  Natural gas - consumption:
  3.557 billion cu m (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 168
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 122
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 52
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  83.95 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 46

- ## Communications :: PHILIPPINES

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 3.09 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 47
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 111.3 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 112 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 13
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate
  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; mobile-cellular communications now dominate the industry
  international: country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide connectivity to Asia, US, the Middle East, and Europe; multiple international gateways (2011)
  Broadcast media:
  multiple national private TV and radio networks; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; more than 350 TV stations - 4 major TV networks operating nationwide with 1 being government owned; some 1,100 cable TV providers and some 1,200 radio stations broadcasting; the Philippines is scheduled to complete the switch from analog to digital broadcasting by the end of 2015 (2012)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 383, FM 659, shortwave 4 (2008)
  Television broadcast stations:
  297 (plus 873 CATV networks) (2008)
  Internet country code:
  .ph
  Internet users:
  total: 39.2 million
  percent of population: 39.4% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17

- ## Transportation :: PHILIPPINES

- Airports:
  247 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 24
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 89
  over 3,047 m: 4
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 33
  914 to 1,523 m: 34
  under 914 m: 10 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 158
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
  914 to 1,523 m: 56
  under 914 m:
  99 (2013)
  Heliports:
  2 (2013)
  Pipelines:
  gas 567 km; oil 138 km; refined products 185 km (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 897 km
  narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (only about 100 km are in operation) (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 88
  Roadways:
  total: 216,387 km
  paved: 61,093 km
  unpaved: 155,294 km (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 23
  Waterways:
  3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 30
  Merchant marine:
  total: 446
  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)
  country comparison to the world: 23
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila
  container port(s) (TEUs): Manila (3,342,200)
  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

- ## Military :: PHILIPPINES

- Military branches:
  Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2013)
  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)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 25,614,135
  females age 16-49: 25,035,061 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 20,142,940
  females age 16-49: 21,427,792 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 1,060,319
  female: 1,021,069 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  1.19% of GDP (2012)
  1.21% of GDP (2011)
  1.19% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 83

- ## Transnational Issues :: PHILIPPINES

- 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
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  IDPs: about 127,000 displaced by conflict and at least 327,000 were displaced by natural disasters (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: 6,370 (2014); note - stateless persons are descendants of Indonesian migrants
  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

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