Updated
Overview
France has 6.8 times the population of Israel: 68.72 million people against 10.12 million (2025).
France's economy is 5.5 times the size of Israel's, at $3.37T versus $610.78B.
Per person, Israel is the wealthier of the two: $60,337 against $48,986 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | France | Israel | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.37T | $610.78B | 2025 | $3.16T / $540.38B |
| GDP per capita | $48,986 | Higher: $60,337 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.8% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.9% | 3.0% | 2025 | 2.0% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 7.5% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 77 | 101 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $5,024 | $3,383 | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,036 | $1,589 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $7.67 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 68.72 million | 10.12 million | 2025 | 68.51 million / 9.40 million |
| Population growth | 0.2% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.3 yrs | 29.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.64 | 2.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.0 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 89% | 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 643,801 km² | 20,770 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 106.7/km² | 487.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 264 Mt | Lower: 53 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.0 t | 5.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.68B | $46.51B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 8.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 304,000 | 178,000 | 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
Israel is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 0.8%.
Israel runs the hotter price environment: 3.0% inflation versus 0.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in France: a price level of 77 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $3,383 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Israel is the far younger society: median age 29.2 versus 42.3 years.
Israel is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 79%.
Geography
By land area, France is 31 times the size of Israel: 643,801 km² versus 20,770 km².
Israel is far more densely settled: 487 people per km² against 107.
Military
France spends about 40% more on defence than Israel: $64.68B versus $46.51B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 2.1%.
France fields the larger armed forces: 304,000 personnel against 178,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is France bigger than Israel?
- France is larger by land area. France covers 643,801 km² while Israel covers 20,770 km², so France is 31 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, France or Israel?
- France has the larger population: 68.72 million versus 10.12 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is France richer than Israel?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Israel is richer: $60,337 against $48,986. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.37T for France versus $610.78B for Israel.
- Who spends more on their military, France or Israel?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $46.51B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).