Updated
Overview
The Netherlands has about 80% more people than Israel: 18.09 million against 10.12 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 2.2 times the size of Israel's, at $1.33T versus $610.78B.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $60,337 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Netherlands | Israel | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.33T | $610.78B | 2025 | $1.23T / $540.38B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $73,684 | $60,337 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.8% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | 3.3% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 3.9% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 84 | 101 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,402 | $3,383 | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,538 | $1,589 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $7.67 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 18.09 million | 10.12 million | 2025 | 17.83 million / 9.40 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.5 yrs | 29.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 2.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.0 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 96% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 97% | 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 41,850 km² | 20,770 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 432.2/km² | 487.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 115 Mt | Lower: 53 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.3 t | Lower: 5.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $23.18B | $46.51B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 8.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 41,000 | 178,000 | 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
Israel is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 1.8%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in the Netherlands and 3.0% in Israel.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Netherlands: a price level of 84 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $3,383 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Israel is the far younger society: median age 29.2 versus 41.5 years.
Life expectancy is 1.2 years longer in Israel (83.2 vs 82.0).
Geography
By land area, the Netherlands is 2.0 times the size of Israel: 41,850 km² versus 20,770 km².
Military
Israel spends 2.0 times as much on defence as the Netherlands: $46.51B versus $23.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 1.9%.
Israel fields the larger armed forces: 178,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Netherlands bigger than Israel?
- The Netherlands is larger by land area. The Netherlands covers 41,850 km² while Israel covers 20,770 km², so the Netherlands is 2.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Netherlands or Israel?
- The Netherlands has the larger population: 18.09 million versus 10.12 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Netherlands richer than Israel?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $60,337. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.33T for the Netherlands versus $610.78B for Israel.
- Who spends more on their military, the Netherlands or Israel?
- Israel spends more: $46.51B versus $23.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).