Updated
Overview
Bangladesh has about 75% more people than Vietnam: 175.69 million against 101.60 million (2025).
Vietnam's economy is 13% larger than Bangladesh's, at $514.70B versus $456.32B.
Per person, Vietnam is the wealthier of the two: $5,066 against $2,597 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bangladesh | Vietnam | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $456.32B | Higher: $514.70B | 2025 | $450.12B / $476.39B |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 | Higher: $5,066 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.5% | Higher: 8.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.8% | Lower: 3.3% | 2025 | 10.5% / 3.6% |
| Unemployment | 3.8% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 25 | 29 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $134 | Higher: $355 | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $108 | Higher: $205 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $2.89 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 175.69 million | 101.60 million | 2025 | 174.37 million / 106.69 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.0 yrs | 33.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.11 | 1.88 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 74.9 yrs | 74.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 33% | 39% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 53% | Higher: 84% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 147,570 km² | 331,212 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 1190.5/km² | 306.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 108 Mt | 371 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.03B | $5.50B | 2024 / 2018 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 1.8% | 2024 / 2018 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 227,000 | 522,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 3.5%.
Bangladesh runs the hotter price environment: 8.8% inflation versus 3.3%.
Average monthly earnings favour Vietnam: $355 against $134 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Bangladesh is the younger society: median age 26.0 versus 33.4 years.
Internet adoption is higher in Vietnam (84% vs 53% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Bangladesh is 55% smaller than Vietnam: 147,570 km² versus 331,212 km².
Bangladesh is far more densely settled: 1191 people per km² against 307.
Military
Vietnam spends about 35% more on defence than Bangladesh: $5.50B versus $4.03B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Vietnam carries the heavier military burden: 1.8% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 227,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bangladesh bigger than Vietnam?
- Vietnam is larger by land area. Bangladesh covers 147,570 km² while Vietnam covers 331,212 km², so Vietnam is 2.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Bangladesh or Vietnam?
- Bangladesh has the larger population: 175.69 million versus 101.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bangladesh richer than Vietnam?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Vietnam is richer: $5,066 against $2,597. Total GDP tells the same story: $456.32B for Bangladesh versus $514.70B for Vietnam.
- Who spends more on their military, Bangladesh or Vietnam?
- Vietnam spends more: $5.50B versus $4.03B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).