Updated
Overview
Russia has 3.9 times the population of Saudi Arabia: 143.51 million people against 36.97 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 2.0 times the size of Saudi Arabia's, at $2.56T versus $1.28T.
Per person, Saudi Arabia is the wealthier of the two: $34,537 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Saudi Arabia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $1.28T | 2025 | $2.17T / $1.24T |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $34,537 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 6.7% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 47 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $1,799 | 2021 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $1,067 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $5.06 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 36.97 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 36.54 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 2.29 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 79.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 85% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 2,149,690 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 692 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 12.3 t | 20.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $80.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 7.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 282,000 | 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
Saudi Arabia is growing much faster: 4.5% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 2.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Saudi Arabia: $1,799 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Saudi Arabia is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 5.5 years longer in Saudi Arabia (79.0 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 8.0 times the size of Saudi Arabia: 17,098,242 km² versus 2,149,690 km².
Saudi Arabia is far more densely settled: 17 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends about 85% more on defence than Saudi Arabia: $148.97B versus $80.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 282,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Saudi Arabia?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km², so Russia is 8.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Saudi Arabia?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 36.97 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Saudi Arabia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Saudi Arabia is richer: $34,537 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $1.28T for Saudi Arabia.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Saudi Arabia?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $80.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).