The Philippines is renowned for its vibrant culture, stunning natural landscapes, and bustling cities. The country’s diverse economy is bolstered by strong sectors in services, manufacturing, and agriculture. The country is a global leader in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, providing a range of services from customer support to IT and business services, with major companies like Accenture, Concentrix, and Teleperformance operating extensively in the country.
But what do global rankings and indices have to say about the Philippines – its sustainability, country brand strength, and reputation?
Let’s take a closer look at:
- The Philippines’ soft power and country brand strength
- Its appeal to skilled labour, investors, and visitors
- The country’s global contribution to peace and well-being
- How well it fares in terms of happiness and sustainability
Soft Power and Country Brand Strength
In the Global Soft Power Index 2024 by Brand Finance, the Philippines ranks 52nd, declining nine positions from the previous year with a score improvement of 1.1 points.
The U.S. News Best Countries 2023 ranking places the Philippines 43rd overall, performing well in Open for Business (21st), Adventure (22nd) and Heritage (36th). However, the country ranks lower in categories such as Power (46th), Entrepreneurship (50th) and Social Purpose (53rd).
According to the Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brand Index 2023, the Philippines rank 48th, having just entered the ranking in 2023.
The UNCTAD World Investment Report 2023 shows that the Philippines’ FDI Inflows for 2023 were valued at 6,210 million USD, marking an increase of 271 million USD. Meanwhile, FDI Outflows were 1,251 million USD, an increase of 943 million USD. These figures indicate a growing investment landscape.
Appeal to Talent, Business, Trade, and Travel
In the Expat Insider 2023, the Philippines ranks 8th overall. It excels in Ease of Settling In (3rd), Culture and Welcome (3rd), Local Friendliness (3rd), Finding Friends (5th), and Housing (3rd). However, it faces challenges in Digital Life (52nd) and Healthcare (47th).
The Bloom Consulting Country Brand Ranking Trade Edition 2024-2025 places the Philippines 37th globally and 14th regionally, reflecting its competitive trade environment. In the Country Brand Ranking Tourism Edition 2024-2025, the country ranks 44th worldwide and 15th in Asia, indicating its strong appeal as a tourist destination.
In the IMD 2024 World Competitiveness Ranking, the Philippines is positioned 52nd, showing strength in Economic Performance (40th) but facing challenges in Business Efficiency (43rd) and Infrastructure (61st).
According to the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023, the Philippines ranks 84th, a decline of seven positions. The country is categorized as a lower-middle-income country, reflecting its efforts and challenges in attracting and retaining talent.
The World University Rankings 2024 ranks Ateneo de Manila University in the 1000-1200 bracket. Special mention goes to the University of the Philippines, also in the 1000-1200 bracket and in the 501–600 bracket of the Asian Universities Ranking – a network of seven universities and one autonomous college scattered across the archipelago.
How “Good” is the Philippines?
In the CAF World Giving Index 2023, the Philippines ranked 98th, with 57% of the population helping a stranger, 12% donating money, and 34% volunteering.
In the Good Country Index, the Philippines ranks 87th overall. The country performs well in Planet and Climate (66th) and Health and Wellbeing (67th), however it has challenges in Prosperity and Equality (111th) and Science and Technology (153rd).
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Democracy Index 2023, the Philippines ranks 53rd, ahead of Argentina (54th), reflecting a decline of one position and indicating ongoing efforts towards democratic governance.
The 2023 Corruption Perception Index ranks the Philippines 118th, declining two positions, highlighting the challenges the country faces in combating corruption.
Peace and Happiness
The Global Peace Index 2024 ranks the Philippines 104th, improving by four positions. Regionally, the it is ranked 16th.
The Global Terrorism Index 2024 places the Philippines at 19th, a slight decline of one position, indicating ongoing concerns about the impact of terrorism.
The World Happiness Report 2024 ranks the Philippines 53rd, an impressive improvement of 23 positions. The report shows that The Old (43rd) are the most satisfied with their life, followed by Upper Middle (58th), Lower Middle (68th), and The Young (70th).
Sustainability Performance
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024 ranks the Philippines 168th, indicating that there is significant room for improvement in environmental sustainability. Regionally, it is ranked 21st.
The Sustainable Development Report 2024 ranks the Philippines 92nd, an improvement of six positions. This ranking highlights the numerous challenges the country faces in meeting various sustainable development goals. It performed well in SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), but struggles to achieve its goals in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), SDG 10 (Reduce Inequalities), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
Last updated in July 2024. Find more country profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Philippines’ economic and cultural landscape and facilitate comparison over time. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, we are not responsible for any typographical errors or inaccuracies. The data is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Users should verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.
