Updated
Overview
Greece has 5.7 times the population of North Macedonia: 10.41 million people against 1.82 million (2025).
Greece's economy is 15 times the size of North Macedonia's, at $280.64B versus $19.10B.
Per person, Greece is the wealthier of the two: $26,948 against $10,490 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Greece | North Macedonia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $280.64B | $19.10B | 2025 | $257.14B / $16.68B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $26,948 | $10,490 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.1% | Higher: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.5% | 4.1% | 2025 | 2.7% / 3.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.5% | 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 60 | 37 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,185 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,161 | $659 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 10.41 million | 1.82 million | 2025 | 10.42 million / 2.14 million |
| Population growth | 0.1% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 46.8 yrs | 41.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.34 | 1.47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 81.8 yrs | 76.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 63% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 93% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 131,990 km² | 25,713 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 78.9/km² | 70.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 53 Mt | Lower: 6.62 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.3 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.02B | $353.68M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.1% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 147,000 | 16,000 | 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
North Macedonia is growing faster: 3.5% annual GDP growth versus 2.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.5% in Greece and 4.1% in North Macedonia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in North Macedonia: a price level of 37 versus 60 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
North Macedonia is the younger society: median age 41.0 versus 46.8 years.
Life expectancy is 5.2 years longer in Greece (81.8 vs 76.6).
Greece is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 63%.
Geography
By land area, Greece is 5.1 times the size of North Macedonia: 131,990 km² versus 25,713 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Greece spends 23 times as much on defence as North Macedonia: $8.02B versus $353.68M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Greece carries the heavier military burden: 3.1% of GDP versus 2.1%.
Greece fields the larger armed forces: 147,000 personnel against 16,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Greece bigger than North Macedonia?
- Greece is larger by land area. Greece covers 131,990 km² while North Macedonia covers 25,713 km², so Greece is 5.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Greece or North Macedonia?
- Greece has the larger population: 10.41 million versus 1.82 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Greece richer than North Macedonia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Greece is richer: $26,948 against $10,490. Total GDP tells the same story: $280.64B for Greece versus $19.10B for North Macedonia.
- Who spends more on their military, Greece or North Macedonia?
- Greece spends more: $8.02B versus $353.68M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).