Updated
Overview
Italy has 5.6 times the population of Sweden: 58.92 million people against 10.60 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 3.8 times the size of Sweden's, at $2.55T versus $669.00B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $43,309 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $669.00B | 2025 | $2.37T / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $43,309 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.5% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 1.0% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.4% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,994 | Higher: $4,783 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 84.0 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.1 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 15,000 | 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
Sweden is growing faster: 1.5% annual GDP growth versus 0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.5% in Italy and 0.7% in Sweden.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Italy: a price level of 69 versus 87 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 against $3,994 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Sweden is the younger society: median age 40.3 versus 48.2 years.
Sweden is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Italy is 33% smaller than Sweden: 301,336 km² versus 450,295 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 24.
Military
Italy spends 3.2 times as much on defence as Sweden: $37.96B versus $12.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than Sweden?
- Sweden is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Sweden is 49% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or Sweden?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $43,309. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.55T for Italy versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or Sweden?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $12.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).