Updated
Overview
Russia has 2.1 times the population of France: 143.51 million people against 68.72 million (2025).
France's economy is 31% larger than Russia's, at $3.37T versus $2.56T.
Per person, France is the wealthier of the two: $48,986 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | France | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $2.56T | Higher: $3.37T | 2025 | $2.17T / $3.16T |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $48,986 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.0% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 6.7% / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 7.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 77 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $5,024 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $2,036 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 68.72 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 68.51 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 643,801 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 106.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 264 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $64.68B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 304,000 | 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, 0.8% for France).
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 0.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 77 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.3 (Russia) and 42.3 (France).
Life expectancy is 9.5 years longer in France (83.0 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 27 times the size of France: 17,098,242 km² versus 643,801 km².
France is far more densely settled: 107 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 2.3 times as much on defence as France: $148.97B versus $64.68B (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 304,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than France?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while France covers 643,801 km², so Russia is 27 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or France?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 68.72 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than France?
- Measured by GDP per capita, France is richer: $48,986 against $17,547. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.56T for Russia versus $3.37T for France.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or France?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $64.68B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).