Updated
Overview
Germany has 4.6 times the population of the Netherlands: 83.49 million people against 18.09 million (2025).
Germany's economy is 3.8 times the size of the Netherlands', at $5.05T versus $1.33T.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $60,496 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Germany | Netherlands | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $5.05T | $1.33T | 2025 | $4.66T / $1.23T |
| GDP per capita | $60,496 | Higher: $73,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.2% | Higher: 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.2% | 3.3% | 2025 | 2.3% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.7% | 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 80 | 84 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $4,647 | Higher: $6,402 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,442 | Higher: $2,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 83.49 million | 18.09 million | 2025 | 84.01 million / 17.83 million |
| Population growth | 0.0% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.5 yrs | 41.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 80.8 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 82% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 93% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 357,114 km² | 41,850 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 233.8/km² | 432.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 572 Mt | Lower: 115 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.8 t | Lower: 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $88.46B | $23.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 183,000 | 41,000 | 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
The Netherlands is growing faster: 1.8% annual GDP growth versus 0.2%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.2% in Germany and 3.3% in the Netherlands.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $4,647 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Netherlands is the younger society: median age 41.5 versus 45.5 years.
Life expectancy is 1.2 years longer in the Netherlands (82.0 vs 80.8).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 82%.
Geography
By land area, Germany is 8.5 times the size of the Netherlands: 357,114 km² versus 41,850 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Germany spends 3.8 times as much on defence as the Netherlands: $88.46B versus $23.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Germany fields the larger armed forces: 183,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Germany bigger than the Netherlands?
- Germany is larger by land area. Germany covers 357,114 km² while the Netherlands covers 41,850 km², so Germany is 8.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Germany or the Netherlands?
- Germany has the larger population: 83.49 million versus 18.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Germany richer than the Netherlands?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $60,496. Total GDP tells a different story: $5.05T for Germany versus $1.33T for the Netherlands.
- Who spends more on their military, Germany or the Netherlands?
- Germany spends more: $88.46B versus $23.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).