Updated
Overview
Chile has about 85% more people than Sweden: 19.86 million against 10.60 million (2025).
Sweden's economy is about 85% larger than Chile's, at $669.00B versus $357.37B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $17,995 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Chile | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $357.37B | Higher: $669.00B | 2025 | $330.27B / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $17,995 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.5% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 4.2% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 4.3% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | 9.0% | Lower: 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 48 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,024 | Higher: $4,783 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $530 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.41 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 19.86 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 19.09 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 36.9 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.13 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 96% | Higher: 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 756,102 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 26.3/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 79 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.0 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.11B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 114,000 | 15,000 | 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
Chile is growing faster: 2.5% annual GDP growth versus 1.5%.
Chile runs the hotter price environment: 4.2% inflation versus 0.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Chile: a price level of 48 versus 87 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 against $1,024 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Chile is the younger society: median age 36.9 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 2.7 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 81.4).
Geography
By land area, Chile is 68% larger than Sweden: 756,102 km² versus 450,295 km².
Military
Sweden spends 2.4 times as much on defence as Chile: $12.04B versus $5.11B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Chile fields the larger armed forces: 114,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Chile bigger than Sweden?
- Chile is larger by land area. Chile covers 756,102 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Chile is 68% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Chile or Sweden?
- Chile has the larger population: 19.86 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Chile richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $17,995. Total GDP tells the same story: $357.37B for Chile versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, Chile or Sweden?
- Sweden spends more: $12.04B versus $5.11B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).