Updated
Overview
Poland has 4.0 times the population of Austria: 36.44 million people against 9.21 million (2025).
Poland's economy is about 80% larger than Austria's, at $1.04T versus $579.47B.
Per person, Austria is the wealthier of the two: $62,930 against $28,420 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Poland | Austria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.04T | $579.47B | 2025 | $914.70B / $521.64B |
| GDP per capita | $28,420 | Higher: $62,930 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | 3.8% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 5.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 52 | 82 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,302 | Higher: $6,155 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,241 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.44 million | 9.21 million | 2025 | 38.75 million / 9.17 million |
| Population growth | -0.3% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.5 yrs | 43.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.31 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.4 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 60% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 92% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 312,679 km² | 83,871 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 116.5/km² | 109.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 273 Mt | Lower: 56 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.1 t | Lower: 6.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $38.00B | $5.26B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 4.2% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 189,000 | 23,000 | 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
Poland is growing faster: 3.6% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Poland and 3.5% in Austria.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Poland: a price level of 52 versus 82 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Austria: $6,155 against $2,302 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 42.5 (Poland) and 43.6 (Austria).
Life expectancy is 3.6 years longer in Austria (82.0 vs 78.4).
Geography
By land area, Poland is 3.7 times the size of Austria: 312,679 km² versus 83,871 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Poland spends 7.2 times as much on defence as Austria: $38.00B versus $5.26B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Poland carries the heavier military burden: 4.2% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Poland fields the larger armed forces: 189,000 personnel against 23,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Poland bigger than Austria?
- Poland is larger by land area. Poland covers 312,679 km² while Austria covers 83,871 km², so Poland is 3.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Poland or Austria?
- Poland has the larger population: 36.44 million versus 9.21 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Poland richer than Austria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Austria is richer: $62,930 against $28,420. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.04T for Poland versus $579.47B for Austria.
- Who spends more on their military, Poland or Austria?
- Poland spends more: $38.00B versus $5.26B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).