Updated
Overview
Italy has 10 times the population of Finland: 58.92 million people against 5.65 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 8.0 times the size of Finland's, at $2.55T versus $317.04B.
Per person, Finland is the wealthier of the two: $56,149 against $43,309 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Finland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $317.04B | 2025 | $2.37T / $299.84B |
| GDP per capita | $43,309 | Higher: $56,149 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 0.5% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.5% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | 1.0% / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.4% | 9.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,994 | Higher: $5,760 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 5.65 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 5.55 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 75% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 338,424 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 16.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 30 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.1 t | 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $6.99B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (0.5% for Italy, 0.2% for Finland).
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.5% in Italy and 0.3% in Finland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Italy: a price level of 69 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Finland: $5,760 against $3,994 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Finland is the younger society: median age 43.2 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 1.6 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 82.3).
Geography
By land area, Italy is 11% smaller than Finland: 301,336 km² versus 338,424 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Italy is far more densely settled: 196 people per km² against 17.
Military
Italy spends 5.4 times as much on defence as Finland: $37.96B versus $6.99B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 22,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than Finland?
- Finland is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while Finland covers 338,424 km², so Finland is 12% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or Finland?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 5.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than Finland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Finland is richer: $56,149 against $43,309. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.55T for Italy versus $317.04B for Finland.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or Finland?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $6.99B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).