Updated
Overview
The Netherlands has 3.0 times the population of Singapore: 18.09 million people against 6.11 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 2.2 times the size of Singapore's, at $1.33T versus $603.87B.
Per person, Singapore is the wealthier of the two: $98,814 against $73,684 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Netherlands | Singapore | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.33T | $603.87B | 2025 | $1.23T / $547.39B |
| GDP per capita | $73,684 | Higher: $98,814 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.8% | Higher: 5.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 3.3% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 3.9% | Lower: 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 84 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,402 | $3,483 | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,538 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.77 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 18.09 million | 6.11 million | 2025 | 17.83 million / 6.08 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.5 yrs | 36.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 0.96 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.0 yrs | Higher: 83.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 96% | 100% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 97% | 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 41,850 km² | 719 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 432.2/km² | 8499.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 115 Mt | Lower: 54 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 6.3 t | 9.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $23.18B | $15.06B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 2.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 41,000 | 59,000 | 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
Singapore is growing much faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.8%.
The Netherlands runs the hotter price environment: 3.3% inflation versus 0.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Singapore: a price level of 60 versus 84 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $3,483 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Singapore is the younger society: median age 36.2 versus 41.5 years.
Life expectancy is 1.4 years longer in Singapore (83.3 vs 82.0).
Geography
By land area, the Netherlands is 58 times the size of Singapore: 41,850 km² versus 719 km².
Singapore is far more densely settled: 8500 people per km² against 432.
Military
The Netherlands spends about 55% more on defence than Singapore: $23.18B versus $15.06B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Singapore carries the heavier military burden: 2.8% of GDP versus 1.9%.
Singapore fields the larger armed forces: 59,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Netherlands bigger than Singapore?
- The Netherlands is larger by land area. The Netherlands covers 41,850 km² while Singapore covers 719 km², so the Netherlands is 58 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Netherlands or Singapore?
- The Netherlands has the larger population: 18.09 million versus 6.11 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Netherlands richer than Singapore?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Singapore is richer: $98,814 against $73,684. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.33T for the Netherlands versus $603.87B for Singapore.
- Who spends more on their military, the Netherlands or Singapore?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $15.06B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).