Updated
Overview
China has 234 times the population of Denmark: 1.41 billion people against 6.01 million (2025).
China's economy is 42 times the size of Denmark's, at $19.50T versus $462.53B.
Per person, Denmark is the wealthier of the two: $76,970 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Denmark | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $462.53B | 2025 | $18.74T / $429.46B |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $76,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 1.9% | 2025 | 0.2% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 5.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 92 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | Higher: $6,992 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $7.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 6.01 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 6.05 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 92% | Higher: 100% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 43,094 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 139.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 28 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $9.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 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
China is growing faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 2.9%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.1% in China and 1.9% in Denmark.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in China: a price level of 47 versus 92 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Denmark: $6,992 against $807 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.1 (China) and 41.3 (Denmark).
Life expectancy is 4.2 years longer in Denmark (82.3 vs 78.0).
Denmark is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, China is 223 times the size of Denmark: 9,596,960 km² versus 43,094 km².
Military
China spends 31 times as much on defence as Denmark: $313.66B versus $9.96B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Denmark?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Denmark covers 43,094 km², so China is 223 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Denmark?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 6.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Denmark?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Denmark is richer: $76,970 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $462.53B for Denmark.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Denmark?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $9.96B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).