Updated
Overview
Sweden has 17% more people than Switzerland: 10.60 million against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is about 55% larger than Sweden's, at $1.04T versus $669.00B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $63,133 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Sweden | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $669.00B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $610.12B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $63,133 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.5% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 0.7% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 2.8% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | 8.7% | Lower: 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 87 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $4,783 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $4,784 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.16 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 10.60 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 10.64 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 84.1 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 96% | Higher: 97% | 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 450,295 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 23.5/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 38 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.6 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $12.04B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 15,000 | 20,000 | 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 (1.5% for Sweden, 1.3% for Switzerland).
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.7% in Sweden and 0.2% in Switzerland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Sweden: a price level of 87 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $4,783 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Sweden is the younger society: median age 40.3 versus 42.9 years.
Geography
By land area, Sweden is 11 times the size of Switzerland: 450,295 km² versus 41,284 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Switzerland is far more densely settled: 220 people per km² against 24.
Military
Sweden spends about 80% more on defence than Switzerland: $12.04B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Sweden carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Switzerland fields the larger armed forces: 20,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Sweden bigger than Switzerland?
- Sweden is larger by land area. Sweden covers 450,295 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Sweden is 11 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Sweden or Switzerland?
- Sweden has the larger population: 10.60 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Sweden richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $63,133. Total GDP tells the same story: $669.00B for Sweden versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Sweden or Switzerland?
- Sweden spends more: $12.04B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).