Updated
Overview
France has 7.6 times the population of Switzerland: 68.72 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
France's economy is 3.2 times the size of Switzerland's, at $3.37T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $48,986 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | France | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.37T | $1.04T | 2025 | $3.16T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $48,986 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.8% | Higher: 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 0.9% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 2.0% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | 7.5% | Lower: 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 77 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $5,024 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,036 | Higher: $4,784 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 68.72 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 68.51 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.2% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.3 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.64 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.0 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 643,801 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 106.7/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 264 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.0 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.68B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 304,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (0.8% for France, 1.3% for Switzerland).
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.9% in France and 0.2% in Switzerland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in France: a price level of 77 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $5,024 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 42.3 (France) and 42.9 (Switzerland).
Life expectancy is 1.4 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 83.0).
Geography
By land area, France is 16 times the size of Switzerland: 643,801 km² versus 41,284 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Switzerland is far more densely settled: 220 people per km² against 107.
Military
France spends 9.6 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $64.68B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, France carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 0.7%.
France fields the larger armed forces: 304,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is France bigger than Switzerland?
- France is larger by land area. France covers 643,801 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so France is 16 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, France or Switzerland?
- France has the larger population: 68.72 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is France richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $48,986. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.37T for France versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, France or Switzerland?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).