Updated
Overview
Hungary has about 75% more people than Slovakia: 9.51 million against 5.41 million (2025).
Hungary's economy is about 60% larger than Slovakia's, at $246.49B versus $154.53B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Hungary | Slovakia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $246.49B | $154.53B | 2025 | $222.91B / $141.78B |
| GDP per capita | $25,907 | Higher: $28,544 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 4.4% | Lower: 4.0% | 2025 | 3.7% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.5% | 5.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 52 | 58 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,290 | Higher: $2,496 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $823 | Higher: $922 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.30 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 9.51 million | 5.41 million | 2025 | 9.86 million / 5.56 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.9 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.7 yrs | Higher: 78.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 71% | 53% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 90% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 93,028 km² | 49,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 102.3/km² | 110.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 40 Mt | Lower: 29 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.1 t | 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.73B | $2.85B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.2% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 46,000 | 18,000 | 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 (0.5% for Hungary, 0.8% for Slovakia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 4.4% in Hungary and 4.0% in Slovakia.
Average monthly earnings favour Slovakia: $2,496 against $1,290 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 43.9 (Hungary) and 42.3 (Slovakia).
Life expectancy is 1.6 years longer in Slovakia (78.4 vs 76.7).
Hungary is considerably more urbanized: 71% of people live in cities, against 53%.
Geography
By land area, Hungary is 90% larger than Slovakia: 93,028 km² versus 49,037 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Hungary spends about 65% more on defence than Slovakia: $4.73B versus $2.85B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Hungary fields the larger armed forces: 46,000 personnel against 18,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Hungary bigger than Slovakia?
- Hungary is larger by land area. Hungary covers 93,028 km² while Slovakia covers 49,037 km², so Hungary is 90% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Hungary or Slovakia?
- Hungary has the larger population: 9.51 million versus 5.41 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Hungary richer than Slovakia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Slovakia is richer: $28,544 against $25,907. Total GDP tells a different story: $246.49B for Hungary versus $154.53B for Slovakia.
- Who spends more on their military, Hungary or Slovakia?
- Hungary spends more: $4.73B versus $2.85B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).