Updated
Overview
Pakistan has 28 times the population of Switzerland: 255.22 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is 2.6 times the size of Pakistan's, at $1.04T versus $407.31B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $1,596 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Pakistan | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $407.31B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $373.07B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $1,596 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.7% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.5% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 12.6% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | 5.4% | Lower: 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 24 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $95 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $133 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.89 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 255.22 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 257.05 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 1.6% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 20.6 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.50 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 67.8 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 40% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 57% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 881,912 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 289.4/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 180 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.7 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $10.17B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.7% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 943,000 | 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
Pakistan is growing faster: 3.7% annual GDP growth versus 1.3%.
Pakistan runs the hotter price environment: 3.5% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Pakistan: a price level of 24 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $95 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Pakistan is the far younger society: median age 20.6 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 16.6 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 67.8).
Switzerland is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 40%.
Internet adoption is higher in Switzerland (97% vs 57% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Pakistan is 21 times the size of Switzerland: 881,912 km² versus 41,284 km².
Military
Pakistan spends about 50% more on defence than Switzerland: $10.17B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Pakistan carries the heavier military burden: 2.7% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Pakistan fields the larger armed forces: 943,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Pakistan bigger than Switzerland?
- Pakistan is larger by land area. Pakistan covers 881,912 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Pakistan is 21 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Pakistan or Switzerland?
- Pakistan has the larger population: 255.22 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Pakistan richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $1,596. Total GDP tells the same story: $407.31B for Pakistan versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Pakistan or Switzerland?
- Pakistan spends more: $10.17B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).