Updated
Overview
The Netherlands has 3.0 times the population of Denmark: 18.09 million people against 6.01 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 2.9 times the size of Denmark's, at $1.33T versus $462.53B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Netherlands | Denmark | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.33T | $462.53B | 2025 | $1.23T / $429.46B |
| GDP per capita | $73,684 | Higher: $76,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.8% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 1.9% | 2025 | 3.3% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.9% | 5.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 84 | 92 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $6,402 | Higher: $6,992 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,538 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $7.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 18.09 million | 6.01 million | 2025 | 17.83 million / 6.05 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.5 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.0 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 96% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 97% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 41,850 km² | 43,094 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 432.2/km² | 139.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 115 Mt | Lower: 28 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.3 t | Lower: 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $23.18B | $9.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 41,000 | 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
Denmark is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 1.8%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in the Netherlands and 1.9% in Denmark.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Netherlands: a price level of 84 versus 92 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Denmark: $6,992 against $6,402 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.5 (the Netherlands) and 41.3 (Denmark).
Geography
By land area, the Netherlands is almost exactly the same size as Denmark: 41,850 km² versus 43,094 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 139.
Military
The Netherlands spends 2.3 times as much on defence as Denmark: $23.18B versus $9.96B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The Netherlands fields the larger armed forces: 41,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Netherlands bigger than Denmark?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. The Netherlands covers 41,850 km² while Denmark covers 43,094 km², a difference of under 3%.
- Which has more people, the Netherlands or Denmark?
- The Netherlands has the larger population: 18.09 million versus 6.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Netherlands richer than Denmark?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Denmark is richer: $76,970 against $73,684. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.33T for the Netherlands versus $462.53B for Denmark.
- Who spends more on their military, the Netherlands or Denmark?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $9.96B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).