Updated
Overview
Belgium has 31% more people than Switzerland: 11.94 million against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is about 45% larger than Belgium's, at $1.04T versus $725.47B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $60,750 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Belgium | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $725.47B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $664.56B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $60,750 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.5% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 3.1% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | 5.9% | Lower: 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 81 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $7,044 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,387 | Higher: $4,784 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.94 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 11.96 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.7% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.9 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.39 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.3 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 96% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 30,528 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 391.2/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 85 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.3 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.56B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 24,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.0% for Belgium, 1.3% for Switzerland).
Belgium runs the hotter price environment: 2.5% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Belgium: a price level of 81 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $7,044 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.9 (Belgium) and 42.9 (Switzerland).
Life expectancy is 2.1 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 82.3).
Geography
By land area, Belgium is 26% smaller than Switzerland: 30,528 km² versus 41,284 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Belgium spends 27% more on defence than Switzerland: $8.56B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Belgium fields the larger armed forces: 24,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Belgium bigger than Switzerland?
- Switzerland is larger by land area. Belgium covers 30,528 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Switzerland is 35% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Belgium or Switzerland?
- Belgium has the larger population: 11.94 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Belgium richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $60,750. Total GDP tells the same story: $725.47B for Belgium versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Belgium or Switzerland?
- Belgium spends more: $8.56B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).