Updated
Overview
Italy has 3.3 times the population of the Netherlands: 58.92 million people against 18.09 million (2025).
Italy's economy is about 90% larger than the Netherlands', at $2.55T versus $1.33T.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $43,309 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Netherlands | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $1.33T | 2025 | $2.37T / $1.23T |
| GDP per capita | $43,309 | Higher: $73,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 3.3% | 2025 | 1.0% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | 6.4% | Lower: 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 84 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,994 | Higher: $6,402 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $2,538 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 18.09 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 17.83 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 41.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 41,850 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 432.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 115 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.1 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $23.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 41,000 | 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
The Netherlands is growing faster: 1.8% annual GDP growth versus 0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.5% in Italy and 3.3% in the Netherlands.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Italy: a price level of 69 versus 84 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $3,994 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Netherlands is the younger society: median age 41.5 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 2.0 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 82.0).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Italy is 7.2 times the size of the Netherlands: 301,336 km² versus 41,850 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
The Netherlands is far more densely settled: 432 people per km² against 196.
Military
Italy spends about 65% more on defence than the Netherlands: $37.96B versus $23.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than the Netherlands?
- Italy is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while the Netherlands covers 41,850 km², so Italy is 7.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or the Netherlands?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 18.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than the Netherlands?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $43,309. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.55T for Italy versus $1.33T for the Netherlands.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or the Netherlands?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $23.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).