Updated
Overview
Italy has about 60% more people than Saudi Arabia: 58.92 million against 36.97 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 2.0 times the size of Saudi Arabia's, at $2.55T versus $1.28T.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $34,537 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Saudi Arabia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $1.28T | 2025 | $2.37T / $1.24T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $43,309 | $34,537 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 2.1% | 2025 | 1.0% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 6.4% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,994 | $1,799 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $1,067 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.06 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 36.97 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 36.54 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 2.29 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 79.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 85% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 2,149,690 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 302 Mt | 692 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.1 t | 20.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $80.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 7.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 282,000 | 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
Saudi Arabia is growing much faster: 4.5% annual GDP growth versus 0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.5% in Italy and 2.1% in Saudi Arabia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Saudi Arabia: a price level of 47 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $1,799 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Saudi Arabia is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 5.0 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 79.0).
Saudi Arabia is considerably more urbanized: 85% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Internet adoption is higher in Saudi Arabia (100% vs 89% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Italy is 86% smaller than Saudi Arabia: 301,336 km² versus 2,149,690 km².
Italy is far more densely settled: 196 people per km² against 17.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends 2.1 times as much on defence as Italy: $80.33B versus $37.96B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 1.6%.
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 282,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km², so Saudi Arabia is 7.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or Saudi Arabia?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 36.97 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than Saudi Arabia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $34,537. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.55T for Italy versus $1.28T for Saudi Arabia.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $37.96B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).