Updated
Overview
Bangladesh has 32 times the population of Ireland: 175.69 million people against 5.48 million (2025).
Ireland's economy is about 60% larger than Bangladesh's, at $721.70B versus $456.32B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $2,597 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bangladesh | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $456.32B | Higher: $721.70B | 2025 | $450.12B / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.5% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.8% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | 10.5% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 25 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $134 | Higher: $5,697 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $108 | Higher: $2,579 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 175.69 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 174.37 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.0 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.11 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 33% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 53% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 147,570 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 1190.5/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 108 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.03B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 227,000 | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 3.5%.
Bangladesh runs the hotter price environment: 8.8% inflation versus 2.2%.
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 Ireland: $5,697 against $134 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Bangladesh is the far younger society: median age 26.0 versus 39.0 years.
Life expectancy is 8.1 years longer in Ireland (83.0 vs 74.9).
Ireland is considerably more urbanized: 65% of people live in cities, against 33%.
Internet adoption is higher in Ireland (97% vs 53% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Bangladesh is 2.1 times the size of Ireland: 147,570 km² versus 70,273 km².
Bangladesh is far more densely settled: 1191 people per km² against 78.
Military
Bangladesh spends 3.0 times as much on defence as Ireland: $4.03B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Bangladesh fields the larger armed forces: 227,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bangladesh bigger than Ireland?
- Bangladesh is larger by land area. Bangladesh covers 147,570 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so Bangladesh is 2.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Bangladesh or Ireland?
- Bangladesh has the larger population: 175.69 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bangladesh richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $2,597. Total GDP tells the same story: $456.32B for Bangladesh versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, Bangladesh or Ireland?
- Bangladesh spends more: $4.03B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).