Updated
Overview
Canada has 4.6 times the population of Switzerland: 41.65 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Canada's economy is 2.2 times the size of Switzerland's, at $2.32T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $55,698 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Canada | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.32T | $1.04T | 2025 | $2.24T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $55,698 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.7% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 2.4% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | 6.9% | Lower: 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 83 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $4,121 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,106 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.81 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 41.65 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 39.19 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.6 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.33 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.1 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,984,670 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 4.2/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 533 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 13.4 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $29.35B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 72,000 | 20,000 | 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 (1.7% for Canada, 1.3% for Switzerland).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Canada and 0.2% in Switzerland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Canada: a price level of 83 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $4,121 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Canada is the younger society: median age 40.6 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 2.3 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 82.1).
Geography
By land area, Canada is 242 times the size of Switzerland: 9,984,670 km² versus 41,284 km².
Switzerland is far more densely settled: 220 people per km² against 4.
Military
Canada spends 4.4 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $29.35B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Canada fields the larger armed forces: 72,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Canada bigger than Switzerland?
- Canada is larger by land area. Canada covers 9,984,670 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Canada is 242 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Canada or Switzerland?
- Canada has the larger population: 41.65 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Canada richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $55,698. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.32T for Canada versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Canada or Switzerland?
- Canada spends more: $29.35B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).