Shiemary Verzosa BETHLEHEM 12

Demographic comparisons between ASEAN and The Philippines

ASEAN Statistical Highlights 2018

Demographic Measure ASEAN The Philippines

ASEAN Population 643.1 million 105.2 million

(2017) (2017)
ASEAN population Density 142.9 350.58
Persons / square km (persons/square km)
ASEAN as a % of 8.5% 1.39%
World Population (2017) (2017)
ASEAN Population with 82.7% 95.4%
access to safe drinking water (2017) (2017)
ASEAN Population with 76.2% 91.4%
access to improved sanitation (2017) (2017)
ASEAN Life Expectancy 71.9 years 70.95 years
at birth (Total) (2017) (2017)
ASEAN Under-5 26 per 1,000 live births 29.1 per 1,000 live births
Mortality Rate (2016) (2016)
ASEAN Adult Literacy Rate 94.9% 98.2%
(Total) (2016) (2015)
ASEAN Unemployment Rate 4.1% 2.70%
(2016) (2016)
ASEAN % of Population 6.9% 16.70 %
living below Poverty Rate (2016) (2018)
TASK 2.

In 2017, the total ASEAN life expectancy at birth was 71.9 years, while the Philippines'
was 70.95 years, and was ranked 7th among the ASEAN countries. The Philippines has a
lower life expectancy rate than the ASEAN as a whole because thousands of Filipinos are
more likely prone to different risk factors such as obesity, raised blood pressure and tobacco
use. “According to The Borjen Project, life expectancy in the Philippines is a complex
issue.”1

Studies have also shown that many factors, such as life status, have contributed big time
to the life span of individuals. “Under socioeconomic and educational status, many older
Filipinos have reported better health, enhanced community participation and greater financial
stability. Older Filipinos also explained that they had the ability to have enhanced stability
later in life.”2 “Summarizing that those with higher socioeconomic status reported more
enhanced quality of life than those of lower socioeconomic status.”3 “On the health aspect,
major factors are diseases and premature deaths.”4 “The World Health Organization (WHO)
has reported that the leading cause of death in the Philippines was cardiovascular disease,
covering the 35% of all deaths. Communicable maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions
caused approximately a quarter of all deaths. Cancer caused another 10% and injuries 7%.”5
“The premature deaths due to NCDs are increasing in a much faster rate in poorest
communities in the country while declining in relatively rich areas.”6 Another factor I
personally observed is the national system response, particularly in health department.
Although instances like “implementing programs in order to prevent diseases”7 are available
in the country, the healthcare system is still limited. “It is not enough to cater the health
security of the whole population.”8

In 2016, ASEAN was higher than the figure of the Philippines in terms of
unemployment, although Philippines was at the 5th spot among the ASEAN members.
“Among the ASEAN Member States, the lowest unemployment rate during the period from
2006–2016 was generally observed in Cambodia and the highest in Indonesia or the
Philippines.”9 While in year 2016-2018, Philippines’ population living in below poverty
rate was higher than the ASEAN as a whole. “Unemployment and underemployment lies at
the core of poverty. For the poor, labour is often the only asset they can use to improve their
well-being. Hence the creation of productive employment opportunities is essential for
achieving poverty reduction and sustainable economic and social development.”10 “The
unemployment rate varies considerably across countries around the world for variety of
reasons.”11 “Countries around the world might not be in a recession and still have very high
unemployment rates because their natural rate of unemployment is high. In these countries, it
may not be easy to move to where the jobs are because of language or culture barriers,
employers might be unwilling to hire people because of restrictive labor regulations or other
reasons. Then, even if the economy is expanding, the number of people who want to work but

1www.borgenproject.org
2
www.borgenproject.org
3
www.borgenproject.org
4
www.borgenproject.org
5
www.CDN/PUBLICATIONS
6
www.CDN/PUBLICATIONS
7
www.allianzcare.com
8
www.allianzcare.com
9
www.ec.europa.eu
10
www.theglobaleconomy.com
11
www.theglobaleconomy.com
have no jobs remains high.”12 “One more thing to point out. The unemployed are people who
are actively seeking work but cannot find a job. Some of them, after looking unsuccessfully
for work for some time, eventually give up and drop out of the labor force.”13

“Moreover on the poverty, the Philippines is more vulnerable to natural calamities than
any other country on the planet. These catastrophes create horrible devastation and contribute
significantly to the country's high poverty rate. Other factors contributing to poverty in the
Philippines include a lack of job creation, slow economic growth, and rapid population
expansion.”14 As a member of the association, the Philippines is contributing to the figures of
ASEAN as a whole, and I believe that country members share some things in common.
However, I generally think that ASEAN was higher or have better figures because there were
other members that have better environment or/and system and responses (quality of life
affects the survival) than the Philippines that contributed to its figures.

References for the data:

 https://www.indexmundi.com/philippines/demographics_profile.html
 https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/philippines
population/#:~:text=the%20Philippines%20population%20is%20equivalent,of%20
the%20total%20world%20population.
 https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/PHL/philippines/population-density

 https://www.statista.com/statistics/578771/life-expectancy-at-birth-in-philippines/
 https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/philippines-life-expectancy
 https://knoema.com/atlas/Philippines/topics/Education/Literacy/Adult-literacy
rate#:~:text=Philippines%20%2D%20Adult%20(15%2B)%20literacy%20rate&te
xt=Philippines%20adult%20literacy%20rate%20was,down%20from%2098.2%20
%25%20in%202015.
 https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/unemployment_rate/ASEAN/
 https://www.adb.org/countries/philippines/poverty
 https://psa.gov.ph/press-releases/id/162798
 https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.DYN.MORT?end=2017&locations=PH&s
tart=2017&view=bar
 https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps2039.pdf

12
www.theglobaleconomy.com
13 www.borgenmagazine.com
14
www.borgenmagazine.com