Updated
Overview
Bangladesh has 8.8 times the population of Chile: 175.69 million people against 19.86 million (2025).
Bangladesh's economy is 28% larger than Chile's, at $456.32B versus $357.37B.
Per person, Chile is the wealthier of the two: $17,995 against $2,597 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bangladesh | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $456.32B | $357.37B | 2025 | $450.12B / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 | Higher: $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.5% | 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.8% | Lower: 4.2% | 2025 | 10.5% / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 25 | 48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $134 | Higher: $1,024 | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $108 | Higher: $530 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 175.69 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 174.37 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.0 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.11 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 33% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 53% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 147,570 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 1190.5/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 108 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.03B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 227,000 | 114,000 | 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
Bangladesh is growing faster: 3.5% annual GDP growth versus 2.5%.
Bangladesh runs the hotter price environment: 8.8% inflation versus 4.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Bangladesh: a price level of 25 versus 48 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Chile: $1,024 against $134 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Bangladesh is the far younger society: median age 26.0 versus 36.9 years.
Life expectancy is 6.4 years longer in Chile (81.4 vs 74.9).
Chile is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 33%.
Internet adoption is higher in Chile (96% vs 53% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Bangladesh is 80% smaller than Chile: 147,570 km² versus 756,102 km².
Bangladesh is far more densely settled: 1191 people per km² against 26.
Military
Chile spends 27% more on defence than Bangladesh: $5.11B versus $4.03B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Bangladesh fields the larger armed forces: 227,000 personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bangladesh bigger than Chile?
- Chile is larger by land area. Bangladesh covers 147,570 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so Chile is 5.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Bangladesh or Chile?
- Bangladesh has the larger population: 175.69 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bangladesh richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Chile is richer: $17,995 against $2,597. Total GDP tells a different story: $456.32B for Bangladesh versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, Bangladesh or Chile?
- Chile spends more: $5.11B versus $4.03B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).