Updated
Overview
Germany has about 40% more people than Italy: 83.49 million against 58.92 million (2025).
Germany's economy is 2.0 times the size of Italy's, at $5.05T versus $2.55T.
Per person, Germany is the wealthier of the two: $60,496 against $43,309 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Germany | Italy | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $5.05T | $2.55T | 2025 | $4.66T / $2.37T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $60,496 | $43,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.2% | Higher: 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.2% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | 2.3% / 1.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.7% | 6.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 80 | 69 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $4,647 | $3,994 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,442 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 83.49 million | 58.92 million | 2025 | 84.01 million / 60.92 million |
| Population growth | 0.0% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.5 yrs | 48.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 80.8 yrs | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 82% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 93% | 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 357,114 km² | 301,336 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 233.8/km² | 195.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 572 Mt | Lower: 302 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.8 t | Lower: 5.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $88.46B | $37.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 183,000 | 338,000 | 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 (0.2% for Germany, 0.5% for Italy).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.2% in Germany and 1.5% in Italy.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Italy: a price level of 69 versus 80 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Germany: $4,647 against $3,994 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Germany is the younger society: median age 45.5 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 3.2 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 80.8).
Germany is considerably more urbanized: 82% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Germany is 19% larger than Italy: 357,114 km² versus 301,336 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Germany spends 2.3 times as much on defence as Italy: $88.46B versus $37.96B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 183,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Germany bigger than Italy?
- Germany is larger by land area. Germany covers 357,114 km² while Italy covers 301,336 km², so Germany is 19% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Germany or Italy?
- Germany has the larger population: 83.49 million versus 58.92 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Germany richer than Italy?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Germany is richer: $60,496 against $43,309. Total GDP tells the same story: $5.05T for Germany versus $2.55T for Italy.
- Who spends more on their military, Germany or Italy?
- Germany spends more: $88.46B versus $37.96B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).