Updated
Overview
Russia has 7.9 times the population of the Netherlands: 143.51 million people against 18.09 million (2025).
Russia's economy is about 90% larger than the Netherlands', at $2.56T versus $1.33T.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Netherlands | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $1.33T | 2025 | $2.17T / $1.23T |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $73,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 3.3% | 2025 | 6.7% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 84 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $6,402 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $2,538 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 18.09 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 17.83 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 41.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 41,850 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 432.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 115 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $23.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 41,000 | 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
The Netherlands is growing faster: 1.8% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 3.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 84 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.3 (Russia) and 41.5 (the Netherlands).
Life expectancy is 8.5 years longer in the Netherlands (82.0 vs 73.4).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 75%.
Geography
By land area, Russia is 409 times the size of the Netherlands: 17,098,242 km² versus 41,850 km².
The Netherlands is far more densely settled: 432 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 6.4 times as much on defence as the Netherlands: $148.97B versus $23.18B (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 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than the Netherlands?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while the Netherlands covers 41,850 km², so Russia is 409 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or the Netherlands?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 18.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than the Netherlands?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $1.33T for the Netherlands.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or the Netherlands?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $23.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).