The Philippines is a tropical country of 7100 islands located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South-East Asia.  The islands have a total land area of 300 000 square kilometres.  The two largest islands are Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south.  Between these islands lies a group of small to medium-sized islands called the Visayas.  Manila is the capital city.  Metropolitan Manila, made up of 12 cities and five municipalities, with an estimated 10 574 000 population in 2001, is the biggest urban centre in the country.

The climate is hot and humid.  The hottest season is March to June, while November to February is pleasantly cool.  Rains and typhoons prevail from July to October.  The tropical temperature favours the existence of disease vectors and parasites.

The estimated population of the country in 2003 is 81 081 457.  The country’s population growth, at 2.36%, is one of the world’s highest, almost twice the global rate of 1.30%.  Population density is 270 people per square kilometre, but the population is unevenly distributed throughout the islands. Fifty-five per cent of the population lives on the island of Luzon with the greatest concentration in Metropolitan Manila.  About 34.65% of the population are below the age of 15, 4.24% are above the age of 65.  Women of reproductive age represent around 23% of the total population.

Gender inequities are still strong in the workplace and in the accessibility to health services.  The patriarchal structure of the family contributes to unequal power relations between men and women.

The presence of a well-established educational system accounts for the high literacy rate of 95.1%, which is higher among females and in urban areas.

Urbanized areas are rapidly expanding, attracting migrants from rural communities.  Migration puts much pressure on providing basic social services.  In rural areas, the people’s health is affected by difficult access to health services and the presence of locally endemic diseases like malaria, filariasis and schistosomiasis.

• Home » 
• Countries and areas » 
• Philippines