Updated
Overview
Brazil has 3.6 times the population of Italy: 212.81 million people against 58.92 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 12% larger than Brazil's, at $2.55T versus $2.28T.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $10,713 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | Italy | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $2.28T | Higher: $2.55T | 2025 | $2.18T / $2.37T |
| GDP per capita | $10,713 | Higher: $43,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.3% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.0% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | 4.4% / 1.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.0% | 6.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 69 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $607 | Higher: $3,994 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 58.92 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 60.92 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 48.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 301,336 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 195.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 483 Mt | Lower: 302 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.3 t | 5.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $37.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 338,000 | 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 0.5%.
Brazil runs the hotter price environment: 5.0% inflation versus 1.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Brazil: a price level of 46 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $607 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Brazil is the far younger society: median age 34.8 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 7.9 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 76.0).
Brazil is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 28 times the size of Italy: 8,515,767 km² versus 301,336 km².
Italy is far more densely settled: 196 people per km² against 25.
Military
Italy spends about 80% more on defence than Brazil: $37.96B versus $20.95B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 338,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than Italy?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while Italy covers 301,336 km², so Brazil is 28 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or Italy?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 58.92 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than Italy?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $10,713. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $2.55T for Italy.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or Italy?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $20.95B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).