Updated
Overview
The Netherlands has about 65% more people than Portugal: 18.09 million against 10.80 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 3.8 times the size of Portugal's, at $1.33T versus $346.64B.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $32,082 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Netherlands | Portugal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.33T | $346.64B | 2025 | $1.23T / $308.68B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $73,684 | $32,082 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.8% | Higher: 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 2.3% | 2025 | 3.3% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.9% | 6.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 84 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,402 | $1,426 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,538 | $1,147 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 18.09 million | 10.80 million | 2025 | 17.83 million / 10.19 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.5 yrs | 46.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.0 yrs | Higher: 82.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 96% | 61% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 97% | 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 41,850 km² | 92,090 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 432.2/km² | 117.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 115 Mt | Lower: 36 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.3 t | Lower: 3.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $23.18B | $4.64B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 41,000 | 52,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.8% for the Netherlands, 1.9% for Portugal).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in the Netherlands and 2.3% in Portugal.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Portugal: a price level of 60 versus 84 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $1,426 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Netherlands is the younger society: median age 41.5 versus 46.9 years.
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 61%.
Geography
By land area, the Netherlands is 55% smaller than Portugal: 41,850 km² versus 92,090 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 117.
Military
The Netherlands spends 5.0 times as much on defence as Portugal: $23.18B versus $4.64B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Portugal fields the larger armed forces: 52,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Netherlands bigger than Portugal?
- Portugal is larger by land area. The Netherlands covers 41,850 km² while Portugal covers 92,090 km², so Portugal is 2.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Netherlands or Portugal?
- The Netherlands has the larger population: 18.09 million versus 10.80 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Netherlands richer than Portugal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $32,082. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.33T for the Netherlands versus $346.64B for Portugal.
- Who spends more on their military, the Netherlands or Portugal?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $4.64B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).