Updated
Overview
Saudi Arabia has 34% more people than Australia: 36.97 million against 27.61 million (2025).
Australia's economy is about 40% larger than Saudi Arabia's, at $1.80T versus $1.28T.
Per person, Australia is the wealthier of the two: $65,130 against $34,537 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Saudi Arabia | Australia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.28T | Higher: $1.80T | 2025 | $1.24T / $1.75T |
| GDP per capita | $34,537 | Higher: $65,130 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.5% | 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 2.9% | 2025 | 1.7% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 4.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 90 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,799 | Higher: $4,436 | 2022 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,067 | Higher: $2,655 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.06 | $5.95 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.97 million | 27.61 million | 2025 | 36.54 million / 27.49 million |
| Population growth | 4.6% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 38.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.29 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 79.0 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 85% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,149,690 km² | 7,692,024 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 17.2/km² | 3.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 692 Mt | Lower: 387 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.4 t | Lower: 14.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $80.33B | $33.82B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.3% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 282,000 | 60,000 | 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 1.4%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Saudi Arabia and 2.9% in Australia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Saudi Arabia: a price level of 47 versus 90 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Australia: $4,436 against $1,799 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Saudi Arabia is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 38.3 years.
Life expectancy is 4.1 years longer in Australia (83.1 vs 79.0).
Geography
By land area, Saudi Arabia is 72% smaller than Australia: 2,149,690 km² versus 7,692,024 km².
Saudi Arabia is far more densely settled: 17 people per km² against 4.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends 2.4 times as much on defence as Australia: $80.33B versus $33.82B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 1.9%.
Saudi Arabia fields the larger armed forces: 282,000 personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Saudi Arabia bigger than Australia?
- Australia is larger by land area. Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km² while Australia covers 7,692,024 km², so Australia is 3.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Saudi Arabia or Australia?
- Saudi Arabia has the larger population: 36.97 million versus 27.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Saudi Arabia richer than Australia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $34,537. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.28T for Saudi Arabia versus $1.80T for Australia.
- Who spends more on their military, Saudi Arabia or Australia?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $33.82B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).