Updated
Overview
The Netherlands has 2.0 times the population of Switzerland: 18.09 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 28% larger than Switzerland's, at $1.33T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $73,684 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Netherlands | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.33T | $1.04T | 2025 | $1.23T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $73,684 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.8% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 3.3% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.9% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 84 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $6,402 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,538 | Higher: $4,784 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 18.09 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 17.83 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.5 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.0 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 96% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 97% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 41,850 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 432.2/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 115 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.3 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $23.18B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 41,000 | 20,000 | 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, 1.3% for Switzerland).
The Netherlands runs the hotter price environment: 3.3% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Netherlands: a price level of 84 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $6,402 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.5 (the Netherlands) and 42.9 (Switzerland).
Life expectancy is 2.4 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 82.0).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 86%.
Geography
By land area, the Netherlands is almost exactly the same size as Switzerland: 41,850 km² versus 41,284 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
The Netherlands spends 3.4 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $23.18B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the Netherlands carries the heavier military burden: 1.9% of GDP versus 0.7%.
The Netherlands fields the larger armed forces: 41,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Netherlands bigger than Switzerland?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. The Netherlands covers 41,850 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², a difference of under 1%.
- Which has more people, the Netherlands or Switzerland?
- The Netherlands has the larger population: 18.09 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Netherlands richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $73,684. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.33T for the Netherlands versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, the Netherlands or Switzerland?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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