Updated
Overview
Poland has 4.0 times the population of Belarus: 36.44 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Poland's economy is 11 times the size of Belarus's, at $1.04T versus $93.40B.
Per person, Poland is the wealthier of the two: $28,420 against $10,279 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Poland | Belarus | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.04T | $93.40B | 2025 | $914.70B / $75.96B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $28,420 | $10,279 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.8% | 6.6% | 2025 | 3.8% / 5.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 3.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 52 | 30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,302 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,241 | $193 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.44 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 38.75 million / 9.46 million |
| Population growth | -0.3% | -0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.5 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.31 | 1.22 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.4 yrs | 74.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 60% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 312,679 km² | 207,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 116.5/km² | 43.8/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 | $1.49B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 4.2% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 189,000 | 158,000 | 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 1.3%.
Belarus runs the hotter price environment: 6.6% inflation versus 3.8%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Belarus: a price level of 30 versus 52 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 42.5 (Poland) and 41.3 (Belarus).
Life expectancy is 4.0 years longer in Poland (78.4 vs 74.4).
Belarus is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 60%.
Geography
By land area, Poland is 51% larger than Belarus: 312,679 km² versus 207,600 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Poland is far more densely settled: 117 people per km² against 44.
Military
Poland spends 25 times as much on defence as Belarus: $38.00B versus $1.49B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Poland carries the heavier military burden: 4.2% of GDP versus 2.1%.
Poland fields the larger armed forces: 189,000 personnel against 158,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Poland bigger than Belarus?
- Poland is larger by land area. Poland covers 312,679 km² while Belarus covers 207,600 km², so Poland is 51% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Poland or Belarus?
- Poland has the larger population: 36.44 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Poland richer than Belarus?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Poland is richer: $28,420 against $10,279. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.04T for Poland versus $93.40B for Belarus.
- Who spends more on their military, Poland or Belarus?
- Poland spends more: $38.00B versus $1.49B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).