Updated
Overview
Italy has 9.8 times the population of Denmark: 58.92 million people against 6.01 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 5.5 times the size of Denmark's, at $2.55T versus $462.53B.
Per person, Denmark is the wealthier of the two: $76,970 against $43,309 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Denmark | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $462.53B | 2025 | $2.37T / $429.46B |
| GDP per capita | $43,309 | Higher: $76,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 1.9% | 2025 | 1.0% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | 6.4% | Lower: 5.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 92 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,994 | Higher: $6,992 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $7.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 6.01 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 6.05 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 43,094 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 139.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 28 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.1 t | Lower: 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $9.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 15,000 | 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
Denmark is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.5% in Italy and 1.9% in Denmark.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Italy: a price level of 69 versus 92 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Denmark: $6,992 against $3,994 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Denmark is the younger society: median age 41.3 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 1.7 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 82.3).
Denmark is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Internet adoption is higher in Denmark (100% vs 89% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Italy is 7.0 times the size of Denmark: 301,336 km² versus 43,094 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Italy spends 3.8 times as much on defence as Denmark: $37.96B versus $9.96B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Denmark carries the heavier military burden: 2.4% of GDP versus 1.6%.
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than Denmark?
- Italy is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while Denmark covers 43,094 km², so Italy is 7.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or Denmark?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 6.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than Denmark?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Denmark is richer: $76,970 against $43,309. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.55T for Italy versus $462.53B for Denmark.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or Denmark?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $9.96B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).