Updated
Overview
Australia has 3.0 times the population of Switzerland: 27.61 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Australia's economy is about 70% larger than Switzerland's, at $1.80T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $65,130 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Australia | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.80T | $1.04T | 2025 | $1.75T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $65,130 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.4% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.9% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 3.2% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.1% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 90 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $4,436 | Higher: $7,309 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,655 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.95 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 27.61 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 27.49 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 1.5% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.3 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.64 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.1 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 96% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 7,692,024 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 3.6/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 387 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 14.5 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $33.82B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 60,000 | 20,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.4% for Australia, 1.3% for Switzerland).
Australia runs the hotter price environment: 2.9% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Australia: a price level of 90 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $4,436 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Australia is the younger society: median age 38.3 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 1.4 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 83.1).
Geography
By land area, Australia is 186 times the size of Switzerland: 7,692,024 km² versus 41,284 km².
Switzerland is far more densely settled: 220 people per km² against 4.
Military
Australia spends 5.0 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $33.82B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Australia carries the heavier military burden: 1.9% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Australia fields the larger armed forces: 60,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Australia bigger than Switzerland?
- Australia is larger by land area. Australia covers 7,692,024 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Australia is 186 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Australia or Switzerland?
- Australia has the larger population: 27.61 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Australia richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $65,130. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.80T for Australia versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Australia or Switzerland?
- Australia spends more: $33.82B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).