Updated
Overview
Russia has 3.7 times the population of Ukraine: 143.51 million people against 38.98 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 12 times the size of Ukraine's, at $2.56T versus $214.23B.
Per person, Russia is the wealthier of the two: $17,547 against $5,866 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Ukraine | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $214.23B | 2025 | $2.17T / $190.74B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $17,547 | $5,866 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 8.7% | 12.7% | 2025 | 6.7% / 6.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 9.8% | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 31 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $777 | $459 | 2021 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $208 | $192 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $3.34 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 38.98 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 35.66 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 41.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.00 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 74.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 82% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 603,500 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 64.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 142 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 3.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $64.70B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 34.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 298,000 | 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
Ukraine is growing faster: 1.8% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Ukraine runs the hotter price environment: 12.7% inflation versus 8.7%.
Average monthly earnings favour Russia: $777 against $459 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.3 (Russia) and 41.8 (Ukraine).
Life expectancy is 1.3 years longer in Ukraine (74.7 vs 73.4).
Internet adoption is higher in Russia (94% vs 82% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 28 times the size of Ukraine: 17,098,242 km² versus 603,500 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Ukraine is far more densely settled: 65 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 2.3 times as much on defence as Ukraine: $148.97B versus $64.70B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Ukraine carries the heavier military burden: 34.5% of GDP versus 7.1%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 298,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Ukraine?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Ukraine covers 603,500 km², so Russia is 28 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Ukraine?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 38.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Ukraine?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Russia is richer: $17,547 against $5,866. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.56T for Russia versus $214.23B for Ukraine.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Ukraine?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $64.70B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).