Updated
Overview
Italy has 3.0 times the population of Chile: 58.92 million people against 19.86 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 7.1 times the size of Chile's, at $2.55T versus $357.37B.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $17,995 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $357.37B | 2025 | $2.37T / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $43,309 | $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 4.2% | 2025 | 1.0% / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.4% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,994 | $1,024 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $530 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.1 t | Lower: 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 114,000 | 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
Chile is growing faster: 2.5% annual GDP growth versus 0.5%.
Chile runs the hotter price environment: 4.2% inflation versus 1.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Chile: a price level of 48 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $1,024 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Chile is the far younger society: median age 36.9 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 2.6 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 81.4).
Chile is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Italy is 60% smaller than Chile: 301,336 km² versus 756,102 km².
Italy is far more densely settled: 196 people per km² against 26.
Military
Italy spends 7.4 times as much on defence as Chile: $37.96B versus $5.11B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than Chile?
- Chile is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so Chile is 2.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or Chile?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $17,995. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.55T for Italy versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or Chile?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $5.11B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).