Updated
Overview
Brazil has 3.1 times the population of France: 212.81 million people against 68.72 million (2025).
France's economy is about 50% larger than Brazil's, at $3.37T versus $2.28T.
Per person, France is the wealthier of the two: $48,986 against $10,713 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | France | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $2.28T | Higher: $3.37T | 2025 | $2.18T / $3.16T |
| GDP per capita | $10,713 | Higher: $48,986 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.3% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.0% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 4.4% / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.0% | 7.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 77 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $607 | Higher: $5,024 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | Higher: $2,036 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 68.72 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 68.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 643,801 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 106.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 483 Mt | Lower: 264 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.3 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $64.68B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 304,000 | 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 is growing faster: 2.3% annual GDP growth versus 0.8%.
Brazil runs the hotter price environment: 5.0% inflation versus 0.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Brazil: a price level of 46 versus 77 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $607 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Brazil is the younger society: median age 34.8 versus 42.3 years.
Life expectancy is 7.0 years longer in France (83.0 vs 76.0).
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 13 times the size of France: 8,515,767 km² versus 643,801 km².
France is far more densely settled: 107 people per km² against 25.
Military
France spends 3.1 times as much on defence as Brazil: $64.68B versus $20.95B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, France carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 304,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than France?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while France covers 643,801 km², so Brazil is 13 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or France?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 68.72 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than France?
- Measured by GDP per capita, France is richer: $48,986 against $10,713. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $3.37T for France.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or France?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $20.95B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).