Updated
Overview
Russia has 25 times the population of Finland: 143.51 million people against 5.65 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 8.1 times the size of Finland's, at $2.56T versus $317.04B.
Per person, Finland is the wealthier of the two: $56,149 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Finland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $317.04B | 2025 | $2.17T / $299.84B |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $56,149 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.0% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | 6.7% / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 9.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 85 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $5,760 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 5.65 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 5.55 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 75% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 338,424 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 16.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 30 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $6.99B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 22,000 | 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
Russia is growing faster: 1.0% annual GDP growth versus 0.2%.
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 0.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Finland: $5,760 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Russia is the younger society: median age 40.3 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 8.9 years longer in Finland (82.3 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 51 times the size of Finland: 17,098,242 km² versus 338,424 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Russia spends 21 times as much on defence as Finland: $148.97B versus $6.99B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 2.3%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 22,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Finland?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Finland covers 338,424 km², so Russia is 51 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Finland?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 5.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Finland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Finland is richer: $56,149 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $317.04B for Finland.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Finland?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $6.99B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).