Updated
Overview
Israel has about 80% more people than Finland: 10.12 million against 5.65 million (2025).
Israel's economy is about 95% larger than Finland's, at $610.78B versus $317.04B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Israel | Finland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $610.78B | $317.04B | 2025 | $540.38B / $299.84B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $60,337 | $56,149 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.9% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.0% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | 3.1% / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.5% | 9.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 101 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,383 | Higher: $5,760 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,589 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.67 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 10.12 million | 5.65 million | 2025 | 9.40 million / 5.55 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.2 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.75 | 1.30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 75% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 88% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 20,770 km² | 338,424 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 487.4/km² | 16.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 53 Mt | Lower: 30 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.6 t | Lower: 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $46.51B | $6.99B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 8.8% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 178,000 | 22,000 | 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
Israel is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 0.2%.
Israel runs the hotter price environment: 3.0% inflation versus 0.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Finland: a price level of 85 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Finland: $5,760 against $3,383 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Israel is the far younger society: median age 29.2 versus 43.2 years.
Israel is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 75%.
Geography
By land area, Israel is only about 1/16 the size of Finland: 20,770 km² versus 338,424 km².
Israel is far more densely settled: 487 people per km² against 17.
Military
Israel spends 6.7 times as much on defence as Finland: $46.51B versus $6.99B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 2.3%.
Israel fields the larger armed forces: 178,000 personnel against 22,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Israel bigger than Finland?
- Finland is larger by land area. Israel covers 20,770 km² while Finland covers 338,424 km², so Finland is 16 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Israel or Finland?
- Israel has the larger population: 10.12 million versus 5.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Israel richer than Finland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Israel is richer: $60,337 against $56,149. Total GDP tells the same story: $610.78B for Israel versus $317.04B for Finland.
- Who spends more on their military, Israel or Finland?
- Israel spends more: $46.51B versus $6.99B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).