Updated
Overview
China has 155 times the population of Switzerland: 1.41 billion people against 9.09 million (2025).
China's economy is 19 times the size of Switzerland's, at $19.50T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $1.04T | 2025 | $18.74T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 0.2% | 2025 | 0.2% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | Higher: $7,309 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 9.09 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 92% | Higher: 97% | 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 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
China is growing much faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.3%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.1% in China and 0.2% in Switzerland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in China: a price level of 47 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $807 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
China is the younger society: median age 40.1 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 6.4 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 78.0).
Switzerland is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, China is 232 times the size of Switzerland: 9,596,960 km² versus 41,284 km².
Military
China spends 47 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $313.66B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, China carries the heavier military burden: 1.7% of GDP versus 0.7%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Switzerland?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so China is 232 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Switzerland?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Switzerland?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).