Updated
Overview
Russia has 5.2 times the population of Australia: 143.51 million people against 27.61 million (2025).
Russia's economy is about 40% larger than Australia's, at $2.56T versus $1.80T.
Per person, Australia is the wealthier of the two: $65,130 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Australia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $1.80T | 2025 | $2.17T / $1.75T |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $65,130 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 2.9% | 2025 | 6.7% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 4.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 90 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $4,436 | 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $2,655 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $5.95 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 27.61 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 27.49 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 38.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 7,692,024 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 3.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 387 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 12.3 t | 14.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $33.82B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 60,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.0% for Russia, 1.4% for Australia).
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 2.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 90 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Australia: $4,436 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Australia is the younger society: median age 38.3 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 9.6 years longer in Australia (83.1 vs 73.4).
Australia is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 75%.
Geography
By land area, Russia is 2.2 times the size of Australia: 17,098,242 km² versus 7,692,024 km².
Russia is far more densely settled: 8 people per km² against 4.
Military
Russia spends 4.4 times as much on defence as Australia: $148.97B versus $33.82B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 1.9%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Australia?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Australia covers 7,692,024 km², so Russia is 2.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Australia?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 27.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Australia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $1.80T for Australia.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Australia?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $33.82B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).