Updated
Overview
Pakistan has 3.6 times the population of Thailand: 255.22 million people against 71.62 million (2025).
Thailand's economy is about 40% larger than Pakistan's, at $577.01B versus $407.31B.
Per person, Thailand is the wealthier of the two: $8,057 against $1,596 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Pakistan | Thailand | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $407.31B | Higher: $577.01B | 2025 | $373.07B / $526.41B |
| GDP per capita | $1,596 | Higher: $8,057 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.7% | 2.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.5% | Lower: -0.1% | 2025 | 12.6% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | 5.4% | Lower: 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 24 | 31 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $95 | Higher: $508 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $133 | Higher: $254 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.89 | $4.02 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 255.22 million | 71.62 million | 2025 | 257.05 million / 70.03 million |
| Population growth | 1.6% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 20.6 yrs | 40.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.50 | 1.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 67.8 yrs | Higher: 76.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 40% | 63% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 57% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 881,912 km² | 513,120 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 289.4/km² | 139.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 180 Mt | 268 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.7 t | 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $10.17B | $5.52B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.7% | 1.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 943,000 | 455,000 | 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 2.4%.
Pakistan runs the hotter price environment: 3.5% inflation versus -0.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour Thailand: $508 against $95 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Pakistan is the far younger society: median age 20.6 versus 40.6 years.
Life expectancy is 8.8 years longer in Thailand (76.6 vs 67.8).
Thailand is considerably more urbanized: 63% of people live in cities, against 40%.
Internet adoption is higher in Thailand (91% vs 57% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Pakistan is 72% larger than Thailand: 881,912 km² versus 513,120 km².
Pakistan is far more densely settled: 289 people per km² against 140.
Military
Pakistan spends about 85% more on defence than Thailand: $10.17B versus $5.52B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Pakistan carries the heavier military burden: 2.7% of GDP versus 1.1%.
Pakistan fields the larger armed forces: 943,000 personnel against 455,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Pakistan bigger than Thailand?
- Pakistan is larger by land area. Pakistan covers 881,912 km² while Thailand covers 513,120 km², so Pakistan is 72% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Pakistan or Thailand?
- Pakistan has the larger population: 255.22 million versus 71.62 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Pakistan richer than Thailand?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Thailand is richer: $8,057 against $1,596. Total GDP tells the same story: $407.31B for Pakistan versus $577.01B for Thailand.
- Who spends more on their military, Pakistan or Thailand?
- Pakistan spends more: $10.17B versus $5.52B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).