Updated
Overview
China has 133 times the population of Sweden: 1.41 billion people against 10.60 million (2025).
China's economy is 29 times the size of Sweden's, at $19.50T versus $669.00B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $669.00B | 2025 | $18.74T / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 0.7% | 2025 | 0.2% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | Higher: $4,783 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 10.60 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 92% | Higher: 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 2.0% | 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 much faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.1% in China and 0.7% in Sweden.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in China: a price level of 47 versus 87 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 against $807 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.1 (China) and 40.3 (Sweden).
Life expectancy is 6.0 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 78.0).
Sweden is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, China is 21 times the size of Sweden: 9,596,960 km² versus 450,295 km².
China is far more densely settled: 147 people per km² against 24.
Military
China spends 26 times as much on defence as Sweden: $313.66B versus $12.04B (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 Sweden?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so China is 21 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Sweden?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Sweden?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $12.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).