Updated
Overview
Poland has 6.6 times the population of Ireland: 36.44 million people against 5.48 million (2025).
Poland's economy is about 45% larger than Ireland's, at $1.04T versus $721.70B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $28,420 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Poland | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.04T | $721.70B | 2025 | $914.70B / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $28,420 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.6% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | 3.8% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 52 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,302 | Higher: $5,697 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,241 | Higher: $2,579 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.44 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 38.75 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | -0.3% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.5 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.31 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.4 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 60% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 312,679 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 116.5/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 273 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.1 t | Lower: 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $38.00B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 4.2% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 189,000 | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 3.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Poland and 2.2% in Ireland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Poland: a price level of 52 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Ireland: $5,697 against $2,302 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Ireland is the younger society: median age 39.0 versus 42.5 years.
Life expectancy is 4.6 years longer in Ireland (83.0 vs 78.4).
Geography
By land area, Poland is 4.4 times the size of Ireland: 312,679 km² versus 70,273 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Poland spends 29 times as much on defence as Ireland: $38.00B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Poland carries the heavier military burden: 4.2% of GDP versus 0.2%.
Poland fields the larger armed forces: 189,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Poland bigger than Ireland?
- Poland is larger by land area. Poland covers 312,679 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so Poland is 4.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Poland or Ireland?
- Poland has the larger population: 36.44 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Poland richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $28,420. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.04T for Poland versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, Poland or Ireland?
- Poland spends more: $38.00B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).