Updated
Overview
The Netherlands has about 70% more people than Sweden: 18.09 million against 10.60 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 2.0 times the size of Sweden's, at $1.33T versus $669.00B.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $63,133 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Netherlands | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.33T | $669.00B | 2025 | $1.23T / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $73,684 | $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.8% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 3.3% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.9% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 84 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,402 | $4,783 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,538 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 18.09 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 17.83 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.5 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.0 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 96% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 97% | 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 41,850 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 432.2/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 115 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.3 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $23.18B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 2.0% | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.8% for the Netherlands, 1.5% for Sweden).
The Netherlands runs the hotter price environment: 3.3% inflation versus 0.7%.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $4,783 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.5 (the Netherlands) and 40.3 (Sweden).
Life expectancy is 2.1 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 82.0).
Geography
By land area, the Netherlands is only about 1/11 the size of Sweden: 41,850 km² versus 450,295 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 24.
Military
The Netherlands spends about 95% more on defence than Sweden: $23.18B versus $12.04B (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 Sweden?
- Sweden is larger by land area. The Netherlands covers 41,850 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Sweden is 11 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Netherlands or Sweden?
- The Netherlands has the larger population: 18.09 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Netherlands richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $63,133. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.33T for the Netherlands versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, the Netherlands or Sweden?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $12.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).