Updated
Overview
Saudi Arabia has 3.7 times the population of Israel: 36.97 million people against 10.12 million (2025).
Saudi Arabia's economy is 2.1 times the size of Israel's, at $1.28T versus $610.78B.
Per person, Israel is the wealthier of the two: $60,337 against $34,537 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Saudi Arabia | Israel | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.28T | $610.78B | 2025 | $1.24T / $540.38B |
| GDP per capita | $34,537 | Higher: $60,337 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.5% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 3.0% | 2025 | 1.7% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 101 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,799 | Higher: $3,383 | 2022 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,067 | Higher: $1,589 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.06 | $7.67 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.97 million | 10.12 million | 2025 | 36.54 million / 9.40 million |
| Population growth | 4.6% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 29.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.29 | 2.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 79.0 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 85% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,149,690 km² | 20,770 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 17.2/km² | 487.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 692 Mt | Lower: 53 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.4 t | Lower: 5.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $80.33B | $46.51B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.3% | 8.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 282,000 | 178,000 | 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 faster: 4.5% annual GDP growth versus 2.9%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Saudi Arabia and 3.0% in Israel.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Saudi Arabia: a price level of 47 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Israel: $3,383 against $1,799 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 29.6 (Saudi Arabia) and 29.2 (Israel).
Life expectancy is 4.2 years longer in Israel (83.2 vs 79.0).
Internet adoption is higher in Saudi Arabia (100% vs 88% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Saudi Arabia is 103 times the size of Israel: 2,149,690 km² versus 20,770 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Israel is far more densely settled: 487 people per km² against 17.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends about 75% more on defence than Israel: $80.33B versus $46.51B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 7.3%.
Saudi Arabia fields the larger armed forces: 282,000 personnel against 178,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Saudi Arabia bigger than Israel?
- Saudi Arabia is larger by land area. Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km² while Israel covers 20,770 km², so Saudi Arabia is 103 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Saudi Arabia or Israel?
- Saudi Arabia has the larger population: 36.97 million versus 10.12 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Saudi Arabia richer than Israel?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Israel is richer: $60,337 against $34,537. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.28T for Saudi Arabia versus $610.78B for Israel.
- Who spends more on their military, Saudi Arabia or Israel?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $46.51B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).