Updated
Overview
Poland has 2.0 times the population of the Netherlands: 36.44 million people against 18.09 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 29% larger than Poland's, at $1.33T versus $1.04T.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $28,420 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Poland | Netherlands | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.04T | Higher: $1.33T | 2025 | $914.70B / $1.23T |
| GDP per capita | $28,420 | Higher: $73,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 3.3% | 2025 | 3.8% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 52 | 84 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,302 | Higher: $6,402 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,241 | Higher: $2,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.44 million | 18.09 million | 2025 | 38.75 million / 17.83 million |
| Population growth | -0.3% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.5 yrs | 41.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.31 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.4 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 60% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 312,679 km² | 41,850 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 116.5/km² | 432.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 273 Mt | Lower: 115 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.1 t | Lower: 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $38.00B | $23.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 4.2% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 189,000 | 41,000 | 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 1.8%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Poland and 3.3% in the Netherlands.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Poland: a price level of 52 versus 84 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $2,302 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 42.5 (Poland) and 41.5 (the Netherlands).
Life expectancy is 3.6 years longer in the Netherlands (82.0 vs 78.4).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 60%.
Geography
By land area, Poland is 7.5 times the size of the Netherlands: 312,679 km² versus 41,850 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
The Netherlands is far more densely settled: 432 people per km² against 117.
Military
Poland spends about 65% more on defence than the Netherlands: $38.00B versus $23.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Poland carries the heavier military burden: 4.2% of GDP versus 1.9%.
Poland fields the larger armed forces: 189,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Poland bigger than the Netherlands?
- Poland is larger by land area. Poland covers 312,679 km² while the Netherlands covers 41,850 km², so Poland is 7.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Poland or the Netherlands?
- Poland has the larger population: 36.44 million versus 18.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Poland richer than the Netherlands?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $28,420. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.04T for Poland versus $1.33T for the Netherlands.
- Who spends more on their military, Poland or the Netherlands?
- Poland spends more: $38.00B versus $23.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).