The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands located in Southeast Asia. It has a population of 91 million, and English is the common language of business due to American ties and multiple local languages. Although its GDP has grown at an average rate of 5.2% from 2002 to 2006, its actual economy is smaller than those of other competitors in the Southeast Asian region. In 2006, the Philippines' PPP-adjusted GDP per capita was $5,300, significantly lower than Thailand's $9,200 or Malaysia's $12,000.

According to the National Statistics Office, the country's workforce numbered 33.3 million in July 2007. The unemployment rate hovers around 8%, with little change over the past two years. Poverty is a major problem, with almost half of the population living on less than $2 a day.


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