Updated
Overview
Brazil has 17 times the population of Bolivia: 212.81 million people against 12.58 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is 35 times the size of Bolivia's, at $2.28T versus $64.77B.
Per person, Brazil is the wealthier of the two: $10,713 against $5,148 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | Bolivia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.28T | $64.77B | 2025 | $2.18T / $49.67B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $10,713 | $5,148 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.3% | -1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 5.0% | 19.5% | 2025 | 4.4% / 5.1% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 40 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $607 | $462 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | Higher: $362 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 12.58 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 12.44 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 25.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 2.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 76.0 yrs | 68.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 72% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 84% | 80% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 1,098,581 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 11.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 483 Mt | Lower: 29 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.3 t | 2.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $655.13M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 1.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 71,000 | 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
Brazil grew while the other economy contracted: 2.3% against -1.6%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Bolivia at 19.5%, while the other economy sits at 5.0%.
Average monthly earnings favour Brazil: $607 against $462 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Bolivia is the far younger society: median age 25.2 versus 34.8 years.
Life expectancy is 7.3 years longer in Brazil (76.0 vs 68.7).
Brazil is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 72%.
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 7.8 times the size of Bolivia: 8,515,767 km² versus 1,098,581 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Brazil is far more densely settled: 25 people per km² against 11.
Military
Brazil spends 32 times as much on defence as Bolivia: $20.95B versus $655.13M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 71,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than Bolivia?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while Bolivia covers 1,098,581 km², so Brazil is 7.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or Bolivia?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 12.58 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than Bolivia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Brazil is richer: $10,713 against $5,148. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $64.77B for Bolivia.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or Bolivia?
- Brazil spends more: $20.95B versus $655.13M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).