Updated
Overview
Brazil has 39 times the population of Ireland: 212.81 million people against 5.48 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is 3.2 times the size of Ireland's, at $2.28T versus $721.70B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $10,713 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.28T | $721.70B | 2025 | $2.18T / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $10,713 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.3% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.0% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | 4.4% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $607 | Higher: $5,697 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | Higher: $2,579 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 483 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.3 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 2.3%.
Brazil runs the hotter price environment: 5.0% inflation versus 2.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Brazil: a price level of 46 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Ireland: $5,697 against $607 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Brazil is the younger society: median age 34.8 versus 39.0 years.
Life expectancy is 7.0 years longer in Ireland (83.0 vs 76.0).
Brazil is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 65%.
Internet adoption is higher in Ireland (97% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 121 times the size of Ireland: 8,515,767 km² versus 70,273 km².
Ireland is far more densely settled: 78 people per km² against 25.
Military
Brazil spends 16 times as much on defence as Ireland: $20.95B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than Ireland?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so Brazil is 121 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or Ireland?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $10,713. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or Ireland?
- Brazil spends more: $20.95B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).