Greater Manila Area

This article is about an area in Mega Manila. For the historical World War II–era city, see City of Greater Manila.

The Greater Manila Area (Filipino: Malawakang Maynila) is the contiguous urbanized region surrounding the Manila metropolitan area in the Philippines. This built-up zone includes Metro Manila and the neighboring provinces of Bulacan to the north, Cavite and Laguna to the south, and Rizal to the east.^[1][2] While urban sprawl continues to absorb new zones, some areas remain as independent settlement clusters separated by non-urban land.

Greater Manila Area Malawakang Maynila
The Metro Manila skyline seen from Ortigas Center
Location of the Greater Manila Area within Luzon   Metro Manila   Manila   Central Luzon (Bulacan)   Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Rizal)   Provincial capitals (Antipolo, Imus, Malolos, Santa Cruz)
Country	Philippines
Provinces	Metro Manila Bulacan Cavite Laguna Rizal
Area
• Metro	7,967.95 km2 (3,076.44 sq mi)
Population
• Metro	28,250,517
• Metro density	3,500/km2 (9,200/sq mi)

In early 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the area was also referred to as "NCR Plus" or "NCR+" (National Capital Region Plus) by authorities, in connection with the designation of community quarantines.^[3]

Definition and scope

The Greater Manila Area refers to the continuous urbanized region extending beyond the official boundaries of Metro Manila, encompassing adjacent portions of Bulacan to the north, Cavite and Laguna to the south, and Rizal to the east.^[1][2]

The broader term "Mega Manila" is often used by agencies such as the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) to include Central Luzon and Calabarzon, but "Greater Manila Area" specifically refers to the contiguous built-up zone around Metro Manila.^[4]

Demographics

As of the 2020 Census, the combined population of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal was approximately 26.7 million.^[5] By mid-2025, the urban population of the Philippines reached 57.6 million, representing about 49.3% of the total population of 116.8 million.^[6]

The Manila urban agglomeration alone is projected to reach 14.8 million in 2025.^[7]

Statistics

Province or region	Population (2015)[8]	Population (2020)[9]	Area[10]	Density (2020)	Region	Mun	Cities	Brgy
Metro Manila	12,877,253	13,484,462	619.57 km2 (239.22 sq mi)	21,764/km2 (56,369/sq mi)	NCR	1	16	1,706
Bulacan	3,292,071	3,708,890	2,796.10 km2 (1,079.58 sq mi)	1,326/km2 (3,435/sq mi)	III	20	4	572
Cavite	3,678,301	4,344,829	1,574.17 km2 (607.79 sq mi)	2,760/km2 (7,149/sq mi)	IV-A	16	7	829
Laguna	3,035,081	3,382,193	1,917.85 km2 (740.49 sq mi)	1,764/km2 (4,568/sq mi)	IV-A	24	6	681
Rizal	2,884,227	3,330,143	1,191.94 km2 (460.21 sq mi)	2,794/km2 (7,236/sq mi)	IV-A	13	1	188
Total	25,766,933	28,250,517	8,099.63 km2 (3,127.28 sq mi)	3,488/km2 (9,034/sq mi)	GMA	74	34	3,973

The Greater Manila Area is composed of 34 cities (16 highly urbanized cities and 18 component cities) and 74 municipalities.

Economy

Metro Manila contributes about 31% of the Philippines' GDP, while Calabarzon accounts for 14.1% and Central Luzon for 10.9%, underscoring the Greater Manila Area's central role in the national economy.^[11]

In 2024, NEDA (now DEPDev) estimated that the broader "Mega Manila" corridor, consisting of these three regions, generated over half (56%) of the country's GDP, amounting to approximately US$260 billion.^[12]

Urbanization and land use

Urban sprawl from Metro Manila has accelerated since the late 20th century, driven by expressway construction and real estate development.^[13] Built-up areas now extend across southern Bulacan, western Laguna, northern Cavite, and eastern Rizal, with large residential subdivisions, malls, and mixed-use complexes replacing agricultural land.^[14]

Transportation and infrastructure

The Greater Manila Area is linked by the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, Skyway, Manila–Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), and Cavite–Laguna Expressway (CALAX). Key rail projects include:

• The Metro Manila Subway, under construction with Japanese ODA funding and tunnel boring ongoing as of mid-2025.^[15]
• The North–South Commuter Railway, with phased openings expected beginning in 2027.^[16]
• The MRT Line 7, which was reported 83% complete in June 2025 and is scheduled for partial operations in 2027.^[17]

New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, developed by San Miguel Corporation, is expected to open its first phase in 2027.^[18]

Governance and planning

Unlike Metro Manila, which is managed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Greater Manila Area lacks a central governing body. Coordination is carried out through the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) along with provincial governments.^[19]

The Luzon Urban Beltway has been a recurring feature in national development strategies, conceived to promote industrial clustering and global competitiveness.^[20]

Environmental and social issues

Traffic congestion in Metro Manila remains among the worst globally. In 2024, the TomTom Traffic Index ranked Metro Manila as the most congested city in the world.^[21] Economic losses due to congestion were already estimated at ₱3 billion per day in 2012, with projections that this could double by 2030.^[22]

Air quality remains a major concern, with vehicle emissions accounting for over 80% of air pollution in Metro Manila.^[23] A 2023 policy paper estimated thousands of premature deaths annually in the capital region due to particulate matter exposure.^[24]

Culture and identity

The Greater Manila Area is the cultural, educational, and media hub of the Philippines, hosting leading universities, hospitals, and broadcast networks. Its influence extends well into Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal. While Tagalog is the dominant language, localized dialects coexist with the Manila standard. The area continues to serve as the center of Philippine television, film, and print industries.