Updated
Overview
Poland has 3.4 times the population of Sweden: 36.44 million people against 10.60 million (2025).
Poland's economy is about 55% larger than Sweden's, at $1.04T versus $669.00B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $28,420 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Poland | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.04T | $669.00B | 2025 | $914.70B / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $28,420 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 3.8% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 52 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,302 | Higher: $4,783 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,241 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.44 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 38.75 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | -0.3% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.5 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.31 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.4 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 60% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 312,679 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 116.5/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 273 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.1 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $38.00B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 4.2% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 189,000 | 15,000 | 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 1.5%.
Poland runs the hotter price environment: 3.8% inflation versus 0.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Poland: a price level of 52 versus 87 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 against $2,302 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Sweden is the younger society: median age 40.3 versus 42.5 years.
Life expectancy is 5.7 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 78.4).
Sweden is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 60%.
Geography
By land area, Poland is 31% smaller than Sweden: 312,679 km² versus 450,295 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Poland is far more densely settled: 117 people per km² against 24.
Military
Poland spends 3.2 times as much on defence as Sweden: $38.00B versus $12.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Poland carries the heavier military burden: 4.2% of GDP versus 2.0%.
Poland fields the larger armed forces: 189,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Poland bigger than Sweden?
- Sweden is larger by land area. Poland covers 312,679 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Sweden is 44% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Poland or Sweden?
- Poland has the larger population: 36.44 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Poland richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $28,420. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.04T for Poland versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, Poland or Sweden?
- Poland spends more: $38.00B versus $12.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).