Updated
Overview
Germany has 9.2 times the population of Switzerland: 83.49 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Germany's economy is 4.8 times the size of Switzerland's, at $5.05T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $60,496 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Germany | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $5.05T | $1.04T | 2025 | $4.66T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $60,496 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.2% | Higher: 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.2% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 2.3% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.7% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 80 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $4,647 | Higher: $7,309 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,442 | Higher: $4,784 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 83.49 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 84.01 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.5 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 80.8 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 82% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 93% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 357,114 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 233.8/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 572 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.8 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $88.46B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 183,000 | 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
Switzerland is growing faster: 1.3% annual GDP growth versus 0.2%.
Germany runs the hotter price environment: 2.2% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Germany: a price level of 80 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $4,647 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Switzerland is the younger society: median age 42.9 versus 45.5 years.
Life expectancy is 3.6 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 80.8).
Geography
By land area, Germany is 8.7 times the size of Switzerland: 357,114 km² versus 41,284 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Germany spends 13 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $88.46B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Germany carries the heavier military burden: 1.9% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Germany fields the larger armed forces: 183,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Germany bigger than Switzerland?
- Germany is larger by land area. Germany covers 357,114 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Germany is 8.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Germany or Switzerland?
- Germany has the larger population: 83.49 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Germany richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $60,496. Total GDP tells a different story: $5.05T for Germany versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Germany or Switzerland?
- Germany spends more: $88.46B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).