Updated
Overview
Italy has 6.5 times the population of Switzerland: 58.92 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 2.4 times the size of Switzerland's, at $2.55T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $43,309 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $1.04T | 2025 | $2.37T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $43,309 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.5% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 1.0% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | 6.4% | Lower: 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,994 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $4,784 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 84.0 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.1 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 20,000 | 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
Switzerland is growing faster: 1.3% annual GDP growth versus 0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.5% in Italy and 0.2% in Switzerland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Italy: a price level of 69 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $3,994 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Switzerland is the younger society: median age 42.9 versus 48.2 years.
Switzerland is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Italy is 7.3 times the size of Switzerland: 301,336 km² versus 41,284 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Italy spends 5.6 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $37.96B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Italy carries the heavier military burden: 1.6% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than Switzerland?
- Italy is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Italy is 7.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or Switzerland?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $43,309. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.55T for Italy versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or Switzerland?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).