Updated
Overview
Italy has 11 times the population of Ireland: 58.92 million people against 5.48 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 3.5 times the size of Ireland's, at $2.55T versus $721.70B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $43,309 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $721.70B | 2025 | $2.37T / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $43,309 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 2.2% | 2025 | 1.0% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | 6.4% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,994 | Higher: $5,697 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $2,579 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.1 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 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 0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.5% in Italy and 2.2% in Ireland.
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 Ireland: $5,697 against $3,994 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Ireland is the far younger society: median age 39.0 versus 48.2 years.
Geography
By land area, Italy is 4.3 times the size of Ireland: 301,336 km² versus 70,273 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 78.
Military
Italy spends 29 times as much on defence as Ireland: $37.96B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Italy carries the heavier military burden: 1.6% of GDP versus 0.2%.
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than Ireland?
- Italy is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so Italy is 4.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or Ireland?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $43,309. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.55T for Italy versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or Ireland?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).