Updated
Overview
Russia has 16 times the population of Belarus: 143.51 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 27 times the size of Belarus's, at $2.56T versus $93.40B.
Per person, Russia is the wealthier of the two: $17,547 against $10,279 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Belarus | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $93.40B | 2025 | $2.17T / $75.96B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $17,547 | $10,279 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 6.6% | 2025 | 6.7% / 5.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 3.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 30 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | — | 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $208 | $193 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 9.46 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | -0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.22 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 74.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 207,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 43.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 56 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 6.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $1.49B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 158,000 | 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, 1.3% for Belarus).
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 6.6%.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.3 (Russia) and 41.3 (Belarus).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 82 times the size of Belarus: 17,098,242 km² versus 207,600 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Belarus is far more densely settled: 44 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 100 times as much on defence as Belarus: $148.97B versus $1.49B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 2.1%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 158,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Belarus?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Belarus covers 207,600 km², so Russia is 82 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Belarus?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Belarus?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Russia is richer: $17,547 against $10,279. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.56T for Russia versus $93.40B for Belarus.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Belarus?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $1.49B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).