Updated
Overview
Russia has 2.4 times the population of Italy: 143.51 million people against 58.92 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $2.56T for Russia and $2.55T for Italy.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Italy | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $2.55T | 2025 | $2.17T / $2.37T |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $43,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.0% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | 6.7% / 1.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 6.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 69 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $3,994 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 58.92 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 60.92 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 48.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 301,336 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 195.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 302 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 5.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $37.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 338,000 | 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, 0.5% for Italy).
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 1.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Russia is the younger society: median age 40.3 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 10.5 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 57 times the size of Italy: 17,098,242 km² versus 301,336 km².
Italy is far more densely settled: 196 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 3.9 times as much on defence as Italy: $148.97B versus $37.96B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 1.6%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 338,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Italy?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Italy covers 301,336 km², so Russia is 57 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Italy?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 58.92 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Italy?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $2.55T for Italy.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Italy?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $37.96B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).