Updated
Overview
Bangladesh has 3.0 times the population of Italy: 175.69 million people against 58.92 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 5.6 times the size of Bangladesh's, at $2.55T versus $456.32B.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $2,597 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bangladesh | Italy | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $456.32B | Higher: $2.55T | 2025 | $450.12B / $2.37T |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 | Higher: $43,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.5% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.8% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | 10.5% / 1.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 6.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 25 | 69 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $134 | Higher: $3,994 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $108 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 175.69 million | 58.92 million | 2025 | 174.37 million / 60.92 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.0 yrs | 48.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.11 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 yrs | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 33% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 53% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 147,570 km² | 301,336 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 1190.5/km² | 195.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 108 Mt | 302 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 5.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.03B | $37.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 227,000 | 338,000 | 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 0.5%.
Bangladesh runs the hotter price environment: 8.8% inflation versus 1.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Bangladesh: a price level of 25 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $134 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Bangladesh is the far younger society: median age 26.0 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 9.0 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 74.9).
Italy is considerably more urbanized: 70% of people live in cities, against 33%.
Internet adoption is higher in Italy (89% vs 53% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Bangladesh is 51% smaller than Italy: 147,570 km² versus 301,336 km².
Bangladesh is far more densely settled: 1191 people per km² against 196.
Military
Italy spends 9.4 times as much on defence as Bangladesh: $37.96B versus $4.03B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 227,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bangladesh bigger than Italy?
- Italy is larger by land area. Bangladesh covers 147,570 km² while Italy covers 301,336 km², so Italy is 2.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Bangladesh or Italy?
- Bangladesh has the larger population: 175.69 million versus 58.92 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bangladesh richer than Italy?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $2,597. Total GDP tells the same story: $456.32B for Bangladesh versus $2.55T for Italy.
- Who spends more on their military, Bangladesh or Italy?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $4.03B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).