Updated
Overview
Israel has about 85% more people than Ireland: 10.12 million against 5.48 million (2025).
Ireland's economy is 18% larger than Israel's, at $721.70B versus $610.78B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $60,337 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Israel | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $610.78B | Higher: $721.70B | 2025 | $540.38B / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $60,337 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.9% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.0% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | 3.1% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.5% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 101 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,383 | Higher: $5,697 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,589 | Higher: $2,579 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.67 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 10.12 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 9.40 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.2 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.75 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 88% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 20,770 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 487.4/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 53 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.6 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $46.51B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 8.8% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 178,000 | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 2.9%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.0% in Israel and 2.2% in Ireland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Ireland: a price level of 85 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Ireland: $5,697 against $3,383 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Israel is the far younger society: median age 29.2 versus 39.0 years.
Israel is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 65%.
Geography
By land area, Israel is 70% smaller than Ireland: 20,770 km² versus 70,273 km².
Israel is far more densely settled: 487 people per km² against 78.
Military
Israel spends 35 times as much on defence as Ireland: $46.51B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 0.2%.
Israel fields the larger armed forces: 178,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Israel bigger than Ireland?
- Ireland is larger by land area. Israel covers 20,770 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so Ireland is 3.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Israel or Ireland?
- Israel has the larger population: 10.12 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Israel richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $60,337. Total GDP tells the same story: $610.78B for Israel versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, Israel or Ireland?
- Israel spends more: $46.51B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).