Country risk assessment ยท Asia

Philippines political and security risk assessment

Philippines carries an elevated level of political and security risk for business. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Zed Three World Threat Map (band 3 of 5), down 1 on last week and rising over the last 12 weeks. Last updated Nov 2, 2026.

47of 100
Elevated

Band 3 of 5

▼ Down 1 on last week

Asia

Philippines

What is the political and security risk in Philippines right now?

Philippines carries an elevated level of political and security risk for business. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Zed Three World Threat Map (band 3 of 5), down 1 on last week and rising over the last 12 weeks.

Week on week the picture is little changed. The main standing risks are foreign government warnings.

On the economic side, real GDP grew 4.4% in 2025 with inflation at 1.7%.

What are the main risks of operating in Philippines?

Natural hazardsElevated

A significant natural hazard event affected the country this period.

Protest and civil unrestHigh

Protest activity is high and periodically disrupts business districts and roads.

Armed conflict and political violenceElevated

Armed violence is reported regularly in some areas.

Staff movement and duty of careGuarded

Foreign governments advise normal to increased caution.

Chokepoint exposure

Taiwan StraitThe sea lane between Taiwan and mainland ChinaRead the explainer →

What has changed recently in Philippines?

Philippines moved down 1 this week and rose 12 points over the last 12 weeks, from 35 to 47.

  • Reporting of armed clashes and attacks down 34% week on week

What happens next? Outlook for the next 1 to 3 months

We assess it is highly likely that Philippines stays in the Elevated band through the end of December.

0%50%100%

Likelihood ranges are editorial judgments, not advice.

What does it mean for shipping, supply chains and operations?

Shipping

Trade routes for Philippines are exposed to the Taiwan Strait, so disruption there feeds straight into freight time and cost.

Supply chain

Trade equals 67% of GDP (2025 data). Map tier one and tier two suppliers here and hold buffer stock for critical inputs.

Operations

Operations continue but need active security planning in affected areas.

Key facts

GDPUS$487.1 billionLatest data, 2025
Real GDP growth4.4%Latest data, 2025
Inflation1.7%Latest data, 2025
Trade67% of GDPLatest data, 2025
Population116.8 millionLatest data, 2025

How has the Philippines threat score moved?

25354555Aug 9Aug 23Sep 6Sep 20Oct 4Oct 18Aug 9: 35Aug 16: 45Aug 23: 44Aug 30: 44Sep 6: 43Sep 13: 48Sep 20: 48Sep 27: 47Oct 4: 47Oct 11: 48Oct 18: 48Oct 25: 4747

Frequently asked questions

What is the political and security risk in Philippines for business?

Philippines carries an elevated level of political and security risk for business. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Zed Three World Threat Map (band 3 of 5), down 1 on last week and rising over the last 12 weeks.

What are the main geopolitical risks of operating in Philippines?

The main risk drivers are natural hazards (elevated); protest and civil unrest (high); armed conflict and political violence (elevated); staff movement and duty of care (guarded). A significant natural hazard event affected the country this period.

What is the outlook for Philippines?

We assess it is highly likely (80 to 90%) that Philippines stays in the Elevated band through the end of December.

Which shipping chokepoints matter for Philippines?

Philippines is exposed to the Taiwan Strait. The sea lane between Taiwan and mainland China.

How often is the Philippines risk assessment updated?

The Philippines threat score is updated weekly on the Zed Three World Threat Map, and this assessment is reviewed monthly. It was last updated Nov 2, 2026.

Related country assessments

Published by Zed Three, a private, independent risk intelligence company. Assessment last updated Nov 2, 2026. Threat score updated weekly, last on Nov 2, 2026. General analysis for informational purposes, not security, legal or investment advice.

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