Updated
Overview
Bangladesh has 31 times the population of Finland: 175.69 million people against 5.65 million (2025).
Bangladesh's economy is about 45% larger than Finland's, at $456.32B versus $317.04B.
Per person, Finland is the wealthier of the two: $56,149 against $2,597 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bangladesh | Finland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $456.32B | $317.04B | 2025 | $450.12B / $299.84B |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 | Higher: $56,149 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.5% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.8% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | 10.5% / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 9.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 25 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $134 | Higher: $5,760 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $108 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 175.69 million | 5.65 million | 2025 | 174.37 million / 5.55 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.0 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.11 | 1.30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 33% | 75% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 53% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 147,570 km² | 338,424 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 1190.5/km² | 16.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 108 Mt | Lower: 30 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.03B | $6.99B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 227,000 | 22,000 | 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 much faster: 3.5% annual GDP growth versus 0.2%.
Bangladesh runs the hotter price environment: 8.8% inflation versus 0.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Bangladesh: a price level of 25 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Finland: $5,760 against $134 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Bangladesh is the far younger society: median age 26.0 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 7.4 years longer in Finland (82.3 vs 74.9).
Finland is considerably more urbanized: 75% of people live in cities, against 33%.
Internet adoption is higher in Finland (94% vs 53% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Bangladesh is 56% smaller than Finland: 147,570 km² versus 338,424 km².
Bangladesh is far more densely settled: 1191 people per km² against 17.
Military
Finland spends about 75% more on defence than Bangladesh: $6.99B versus $4.03B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Finland carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Bangladesh fields the larger armed forces: 227,000 personnel against 22,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bangladesh bigger than Finland?
- Finland is larger by land area. Bangladesh covers 147,570 km² while Finland covers 338,424 km², so Finland is 2.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Bangladesh or Finland?
- Bangladesh has the larger population: 175.69 million versus 5.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bangladesh richer than Finland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Finland is richer: $56,149 against $2,597. Total GDP tells a different story: $456.32B for Bangladesh versus $317.04B for Finland.
- Who spends more on their military, Bangladesh or Finland?
- Finland spends more: $6.99B versus $4.03B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).