Updated
Overview
Spain has 8.2 times the population of Denmark: 49.36 million people against 6.01 million (2025).
Spain's economy is 4.1 times the size of Denmark's, at $1.91T versus $462.53B.
Per person, Denmark is the wealthier of the two: $76,970 against $38,627 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Spain | Denmark | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.91T | $462.53B | 2025 | $1.72T / $429.46B |
| GDP per capita | $38,627 | Higher: $76,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.8% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.7% | Lower: 1.9% | 2025 | 2.8% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | 10.4% | Lower: 5.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 65 | 92 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,574 | Higher: $6,992 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,561 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $7.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 49.36 million | 6.01 million | 2025 | 47.28 million / 6.05 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.9 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.23 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.9 yrs | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 96% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 505,992 km² | 43,094 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 97.5/km² | 139.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 220 Mt | Lower: 28 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.6 t | 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $24.62B | $9.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 199,000 | 15,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (2.8% for Spain, 2.9% for Denmark).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.7% in Spain and 1.9% in Denmark.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Spain: a price level of 65 versus 92 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Denmark: $6,992 against $3,574 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Denmark is the younger society: median age 41.3 versus 45.9 years.
Life expectancy is 1.6 years longer in Spain (83.9 vs 82.3).
Geography
By land area, Spain is 12 times the size of Denmark: 505,992 km² versus 43,094 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Spain spends 2.5 times as much on defence as Denmark: $24.62B versus $9.96B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Denmark carries the heavier military burden: 2.4% of GDP versus 1.4%.
Spain fields the larger armed forces: 199,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Spain bigger than Denmark?
- Spain is larger by land area. Spain covers 505,992 km² while Denmark covers 43,094 km², so Spain is 12 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Spain or Denmark?
- Spain has the larger population: 49.36 million versus 6.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Spain richer than Denmark?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Denmark is richer: $76,970 against $38,627. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.91T for Spain versus $462.53B for Denmark.
- Who spends more on their military, Spain or Denmark?
- Spain spends more: $24.62B versus $9.96B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).