Updated
Overview
The Netherlands has 3.2 times the population of Finland: 18.09 million people against 5.65 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 4.2 times the size of Finland's, at $1.33T versus $317.04B.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $56,149 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Netherlands | Finland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.33T | $317.04B | 2025 | $1.23T / $299.84B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $73,684 | $56,149 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.8% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | 3.3% / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.9% | 9.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 84 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,402 | $5,760 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,538 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 18.09 million | 5.65 million | 2025 | 17.83 million / 5.55 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.5 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 1.30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.0 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 96% | 75% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 97% | 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 41,850 km² | 338,424 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 432.2/km² | 16.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 115 Mt | Lower: 30 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.3 t | Lower: 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $23.18B | $6.99B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 41,000 | 22,000 | 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
The Netherlands is growing faster: 1.8% annual GDP growth versus 0.2%.
The Netherlands runs the hotter price environment: 3.3% inflation versus 0.3%.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $5,760 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.5 (the Netherlands) and 43.2 (Finland).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 75%.
Geography
By land area, the Netherlands is 88% smaller than Finland: 41,850 km² versus 338,424 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 17.
Military
The Netherlands spends 3.3 times as much on defence as Finland: $23.18B versus $6.99B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The Netherlands fields the larger armed forces: 41,000 personnel against 22,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Netherlands bigger than Finland?
- Finland is larger by land area. The Netherlands covers 41,850 km² while Finland covers 338,424 km², so Finland is 8.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Netherlands or Finland?
- The Netherlands has the larger population: 18.09 million versus 5.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Netherlands richer than Finland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $56,149. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.33T for the Netherlands versus $317.04B for Finland.
- Who spends more on their military, the Netherlands or Finland?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $6.99B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).