Updated
Overview
Bangladesh has 19 times the population of Switzerland: 175.69 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is 2.3 times the size of Bangladesh's, at $1.04T versus $456.32B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $2,597 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bangladesh | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $456.32B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $450.12B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.5% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.8% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 10.5% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 25 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $134 | Higher: $7,309 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $108 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 175.69 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 174.37 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.0 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.11 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 33% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 53% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 147,570 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 1190.5/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 108 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.03B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 227,000 | 20,000 | 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 1.3%.
Bangladesh runs the hotter price environment: 8.8% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Bangladesh: a price level of 25 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $134 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Bangladesh is the far younger society: median age 26.0 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 9.5 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 74.9).
Switzerland is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 33%.
Internet adoption is higher in Switzerland (97% vs 53% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Bangladesh is 3.6 times the size of Switzerland: 147,570 km² versus 41,284 km².
Bangladesh is far more densely settled: 1191 people per km² against 220.
Military
Switzerland spends about 65% more on defence than Bangladesh: $6.72B versus $4.03B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Bangladesh fields the larger armed forces: 227,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bangladesh bigger than Switzerland?
- Bangladesh is larger by land area. Bangladesh covers 147,570 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Bangladesh is 3.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Bangladesh or Switzerland?
- Bangladesh has the larger population: 175.69 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bangladesh richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $2,597. Total GDP tells the same story: $456.32B for Bangladesh versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Bangladesh or Switzerland?
- Switzerland spends more: $6.72B versus $4.03B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).