Updated
Overview
Israel has 11% more people than Switzerland: 10.12 million against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is about 70% larger than Israel's, at $1.04T versus $610.78B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $60,337 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Israel | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $610.78B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $540.38B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $60,337 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.9% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.0% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 3.1% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.5% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 101 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,383 | Higher: $7,309 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,589 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.67 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 10.12 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 9.40 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.2 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.75 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.2 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 88% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 20,770 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 487.4/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 53 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.6 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $46.51B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 8.8% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 178,000 | 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
Israel is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 1.3%.
Israel runs the hotter price environment: 3.0% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Israel: a price level of 101 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $3,383 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Israel is the far younger society: median age 29.2 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 1.2 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 83.2).
Geography
By land area, Israel is 50% smaller than Switzerland: 20,770 km² versus 41,284 km².
Israel is far more densely settled: 487 people per km² against 220.
Military
Israel spends 6.9 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $46.51B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Israel fields the larger armed forces: 178,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Israel bigger than Switzerland?
- Switzerland is larger by land area. Israel covers 20,770 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Switzerland is 2.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Israel or Switzerland?
- Israel has the larger population: 10.12 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Israel richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $60,337. Total GDP tells the same story: $610.78B for Israel versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Israel or Switzerland?
- Israel spends more: $46.51B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).