Manila: population and official figures
What is the population of Manila?
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, had 1,846,513 inhabitants (city proper) on 1 May 2020, according to a complete census (usual residents) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Manila rank among cities in the Philippines?
Of the 177 cities the UN table lists for the Philippines (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is 2nd largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Manila?
Women and girls made up 50.2% of residents (927,870 female, 918,643 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyWho runs Manila?
In the Philippines, cities and towns are run by cities: Mayor, vice-mayor and council (Sangguniang Panlungsod or Bayan) elected for three years. Main local services; highly urbanised cities sit outside provincial control.
How local power works in the Philippines
Cities of a similar size in the Philippines
- Quezon City 2,960,048
- Davao 1,776,949
- Caloocan 1,661,584
- Zamboanga 977,234
- Cebu 964,169
- Antipolo 887,399
- Taguig 886,722
- Pasig 803,159
- Cagayan de Oro 728,402
- Valenzuela 714,978
- Dasmariñas 703,141
- General Santos 697,315
- Paranaque 689,992
Up a level: all cities in the Philippines · the Philippines · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, technical notes to Table 8, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b0d2d6d8ccd6…)
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