Updated
Overview
Italy has 5.5 times the population of Portugal: 58.92 million people against 10.80 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 7.4 times the size of Portugal's, at $2.55T versus $346.64B.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $32,082 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Portugal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $346.64B | 2025 | $2.37T / $308.68B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $43,309 | $32,082 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 2.3% | 2025 | 1.0% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 6.4% | Lower: 6.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,994 | $1,426 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $1,147 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 10.80 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 10.19 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 46.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 82.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 61% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 89% | 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 92,090 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 117.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 36 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.1 t | Lower: 3.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $4.64B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 52,000 | 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
Portugal is growing faster: 1.9% annual GDP growth versus 0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.5% in Italy and 2.3% in Portugal.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Portugal: a price level of 60 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $1,426 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 48.2 (Italy) and 46.9 (Portugal).
Life expectancy is 1.6 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 82.4).
Geography
By land area, Italy is 3.3 times the size of Portugal: 301,336 km² versus 92,090 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Italy spends 8.2 times as much on defence as Portugal: $37.96B versus $4.64B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 52,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than Portugal?
- Italy is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while Portugal covers 92,090 km², so Italy is 3.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or Portugal?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 10.80 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than Portugal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $32,082. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.55T for Italy versus $346.64B for Portugal.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or Portugal?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $4.64B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).