Updated
Overview
Pakistan has 2.5 times the population of Vietnam: 255.22 million people against 101.60 million (2025).
Vietnam's economy is 26% larger than Pakistan's, at $514.70B versus $407.31B.
Per person, Vietnam is the wealthier of the two: $5,066 against $1,596 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Pakistan | Vietnam | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $407.31B | Higher: $514.70B | 2025 | $373.07B / $476.39B |
| GDP per capita | $1,596 | Higher: $5,066 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.7% | Higher: 8.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.5% | Lower: 3.3% | 2025 | 12.6% / 3.6% |
| Unemployment | 5.4% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 24 | 29 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $95 | Higher: $355 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $133 | Higher: $205 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.89 | $2.89 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 255.22 million | 101.60 million | 2025 | 257.05 million / 106.69 million |
| Population growth | 1.6% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 20.6 yrs | 33.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.50 | 1.88 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 67.8 yrs | Higher: 74.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 40% | 39% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 57% | Higher: 84% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 881,912 km² | 331,212 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 289.4/km² | 306.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 180 Mt | 371 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.7 t | 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $10.17B | $5.50B | 2024 / 2018 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.7% | 1.8% | 2024 / 2018 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 943,000 | 522,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 3.7%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.5% in Pakistan and 3.3% in Vietnam.
Average monthly earnings favour Vietnam: $355 against $95 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Pakistan is the far younger society: median age 20.6 versus 33.4 years.
Life expectancy is 6.9 years longer in Vietnam (74.7 vs 67.8).
Internet adoption is higher in Vietnam (84% vs 57% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Pakistan is 2.7 times the size of Vietnam: 881,912 km² versus 331,212 km².
Military
Pakistan spends about 85% more on defence than Vietnam: $10.17B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Pakistan carries the heavier military burden: 2.7% of GDP versus 1.8%.
Pakistan fields the larger armed forces: 943,000 personnel against 522,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Pakistan bigger than Vietnam?
- Pakistan is larger by land area. Pakistan covers 881,912 km² while Vietnam covers 331,212 km², so Pakistan is 2.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Pakistan or Vietnam?
- Pakistan has the larger population: 255.22 million versus 101.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Pakistan richer than Vietnam?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Vietnam is richer: $5,066 against $1,596. Total GDP tells the same story: $407.31B for Pakistan versus $514.70B for Vietnam.
- Who spends more on their military, Pakistan or Vietnam?
- Pakistan spends more: $10.17B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).