Updated
Overview
Brazil has 20 times the population of Portugal: 212.81 million people against 10.80 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is 6.6 times the size of Portugal's, at $2.28T versus $346.64B.
Per person, Portugal is the wealthier of the two: $32,082 against $10,713 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | Portugal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.28T | $346.64B | 2025 | $2.18T / $308.68B |
| GDP per capita | $10,713 | Higher: $32,082 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.3% | 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.0% | Lower: 2.3% | 2025 | 4.4% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.0% | 6.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $607 | Higher: $1,426 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | Higher: $1,147 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 10.80 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 10.19 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 46.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 82.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 61% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 92,090 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 117.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 483 Mt | Lower: 36 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.3 t | 3.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $4.64B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 52,000 | 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 (2.3% for Brazil, 1.9% for Portugal).
Brazil runs the hotter price environment: 5.0% inflation versus 2.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Brazil: a price level of 46 versus 60 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Portugal: $1,426 against $607 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Brazil is the far younger society: median age 34.8 versus 46.9 years.
Life expectancy is 6.4 years longer in Portugal (82.4 vs 76.0).
Brazil is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 61%.
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 92 times the size of Portugal: 8,515,767 km² versus 92,090 km².
Portugal is far more densely settled: 117 people per km² against 25.
Military
Brazil spends 4.5 times as much on defence as Portugal: $20.95B versus $4.64B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 52,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than Portugal?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while Portugal covers 92,090 km², so Brazil is 92 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or Portugal?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 10.80 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than Portugal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Portugal is richer: $32,082 against $10,713. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $346.64B for Portugal.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or Portugal?
- Brazil spends more: $20.95B versus $4.64B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).