Updated
Overview
Singapore has 11% more people than Ireland: 6.11 million against 5.48 million (2025).
Ireland's economy is 20% larger than Singapore's, at $721.70B versus $603.87B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $98,814 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Singapore | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $603.87B | Higher: $721.70B | 2025 | $547.39B / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $98,814 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 5.0% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.9% | 2.2% | 2025 | 2.4% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.8% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 60 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,483 | Higher: $5,697 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $2,579 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.77 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 6.11 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 6.08 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 36.2 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.96 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.3 yrs | 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 100% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 719 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8499.5/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 54 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 9.2 t | Lower: 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.06B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.8% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 59,000 | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 5.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.9% in Singapore and 2.2% in Ireland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Singapore: a price level of 60 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Ireland: $5,697 against $3,483 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Singapore is the younger society: median age 36.2 versus 39.0 years.
Singapore is considerably more urbanized: 100% of people live in cities, against 65%.
Geography
By land area, Singapore is only about 1/98 the size of Ireland: 719 km² versus 70,273 km².
Singapore is far more densely settled: 8500 people per km² against 78.
Military
Singapore spends 11 times as much on defence as Ireland: $15.06B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Singapore carries the heavier military burden: 2.8% of GDP versus 0.2%.
Singapore fields the larger armed forces: 59,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Singapore bigger than Ireland?
- Ireland is larger by land area. Singapore covers 719 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so Ireland is 98 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Singapore or Ireland?
- Singapore has the larger population: 6.11 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Singapore richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $98,814. Total GDP tells the same story: $603.87B for Singapore versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, Singapore or Ireland?
- Singapore spends more: $15.06B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).