The Philippines at a Glance
Moving to the Philippines
iStockphotoWith over 7,000 islands, the Philippines offer gorgeous destinations to everyone.
The idea of moving to the Philippines is prevalent in many expats who dream of a laid-back life under palm trees in a warm and sunny climate. A move to the Philippines will find you in the second largest archipelago in the world. Their 7,100 islands are considered the hidden treasure of South-East Asia.
The nation’s heritage and its various cultural influences make moving to the Philippines so appealing. When moving to the Philippines, you will quickly become aware of the diversity in the country’s culture and nature. Metropolitan areas and beautiful landscapes make moving to the Philippines an experience that many expatriates would not miss.
Moving to the Philippines: Geography and Climate
The Philippines are located east of Vietnam, between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. With its many islands, the nation offers 36,289km of coastline to those who move to the Philippines. The terrain is mostly mountainous with extensive lowlands at the coast. The highest point is Mount Apo, with 2,954m in height.
After you move to the Philippines, you will experience a tropical marine climate throughout the year, with monsoon season from November to April in the North-East and May to October in the South-West. When moving to the Philippines, you should be aware that the country is located in the typhoon belt. Each year, the archipelago is affected by up to 15 and hit by 5 or 6 severe storms. There’s more: expats moving to the Philippines can expect landslides, volcanic eruptions, earth-quakes and tsunamis to be common as well.
Move to the Philippines: Manila
An article on moving to the Philippines could never be complete without mentioning Manila, the capital and biggest city in the entire country, with 11.45 million people. The city is not just the seat of the Philippine government. It is also a buzzing center of commerce as well as the home of historic landmarks and of scientific and educational institutions. Thus, Manila is the political, commercial and cultural center of the nation and the biggest magnet for expats interested in moving to the Philippines.
The sea port of Manila is one of the busiest around the globe, making the city an important location for import and export. On top of that, different industrial developments are built throughout the city, creating new business areas. At the moment, the commercial center of Manila is located in Makati.
However, Manila is also a popular tourist destination, despite the lack of a definable city center, which was destroyed in World War II. Manila is a vibrant metropolis which is constantly growing in population. It is the very definition of Filipino urban culture.
Moving to the Philippines: Economy
Expats moving to the Philippines will benefit strongly from an economy which has recently experienced a growth of 7.6%. Since the Philippines do not rely as strongly on exports and international securities, the recession has not hit the country as hard as it did its neighbors in South-East Asia. The labor force of the Philippines counts 40 million people. 33% of them work in agriculture. Expatriates who move to the Philippines are likely to find work in the services sector, which employs 52% of the Philippine labor force.
Despite its strong economy, there is a high rate of poverty. This may come as somewhat of a surprise to expats moving to the Philippines. Despite its well-performing economy and high GDP, the country faces a large national debt. Its economy depends highly on money sent home by overseas workers. Another factor is the country’s rising birth rate, which could lead the population to double in the next three years.
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