Updated
Overview
Portugal has 19% more people than Switzerland: 10.80 million against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is 3.0 times the size of Portugal's, at $1.04T versus $346.64B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $32,082 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Portugal | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $346.64B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $308.68B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $32,082 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.9% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.3% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 2.4% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | 6.2% | Lower: 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 60 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,426 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,147 | Higher: $4,784 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 10.80 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 10.19 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 46.9 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.52 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.4 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 61% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 88% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 92,090 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 117.3/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 36 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.4 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.64B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.5% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 52,000 | 20,000 | 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
Portugal is growing faster: 1.9% annual GDP growth versus 1.3%.
Portugal runs the hotter price environment: 2.3% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Portugal: a price level of 60 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $1,426 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Switzerland is the younger society: median age 42.9 versus 46.9 years.
Life expectancy is 2.0 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 82.4).
Switzerland is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 61%.
Geography
By land area, Portugal is 2.2 times the size of Switzerland: 92,090 km² versus 41,284 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Switzerland spends about 45% more on defence than Portugal: $6.72B versus $4.64B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Portugal carries the heavier military burden: 1.5% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Portugal fields the larger armed forces: 52,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Portugal bigger than Switzerland?
- Portugal is larger by land area. Portugal covers 92,090 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Portugal is 2.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Portugal or Switzerland?
- Portugal has the larger population: 10.80 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Portugal richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $32,082. Total GDP tells the same story: $346.64B for Portugal versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Portugal or Switzerland?
- Switzerland spends more: $6.72B versus $4.64B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).