Updated
Overview
Bangladesh has 5.1 times the population of Peru: 175.69 million people against 34.58 million (2025).
Bangladesh's economy is about 35% larger than Peru's, at $456.32B versus $334.85B.
Per person, Peru is the wealthier of the two: $9,684 against $2,597 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bangladesh | Peru | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $456.32B | $334.85B | 2025 | $450.12B / $289.22B |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 | Higher: $9,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.5% | 3.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.8% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | 10.5% / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 5.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 25 | 51 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $134 | Higher: $563 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $108 | Higher: $273 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $4.99 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 175.69 million | 34.58 million | 2025 | 174.37 million / 32.77 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.0 yrs | 30.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.11 | 1.94 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 33% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 53% | Higher: 82% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 147,570 km² | 1,285,216 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 1190.5/km² | 26.9/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 108 Mt | Lower: 70 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 2.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.03B | $2.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 0.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 227,000 | 158,000 | 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 (3.5% for Bangladesh, 3.4% for Peru).
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 51 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Peru: $563 against $134 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Bangladesh is the younger society: median age 26.0 versus 30.2 years.
Life expectancy is 3.0 years longer in Peru (77.9 vs 74.9).
Peru is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 33%.
Internet adoption is higher in Peru (82% vs 53% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Bangladesh is 89% smaller than Peru: 147,570 km² versus 1,285,216 km².
Bangladesh is far more densely settled: 1191 people per km² against 27.
Military
Bangladesh spends about 55% more on defence than Peru: $4.03B versus $2.57B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Bangladesh fields the larger armed forces: 227,000 personnel against 158,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bangladesh bigger than Peru?
- Peru is larger by land area. Bangladesh covers 147,570 km² while Peru covers 1,285,216 km², so Peru is 8.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Bangladesh or Peru?
- Bangladesh has the larger population: 175.69 million versus 34.58 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bangladesh richer than Peru?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Peru is richer: $9,684 against $2,597. Total GDP tells a different story: $456.32B for Bangladesh versus $334.85B for Peru.
- Who spends more on their military, Bangladesh or Peru?
- Bangladesh spends more: $4.03B versus $2.57B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).