Updated
Overview
Switzerland has about 50% more people than Denmark: 9.09 million against 6.01 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is 2.3 times the size of Denmark's, at $1.04T versus $462.53B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $76,970 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Switzerland | Denmark | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.04T | $462.53B | 2025 | $936.56B / $429.46B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $114,769 | $76,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.3% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.2% | 1.9% | 2025 | 1.1% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.9% | 5.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 112 | 92 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $7,309 | $6,992 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $4,784 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $9.04 | $7.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 9.09 million | 6.01 million | 2025 | 8.93 million / 6.05 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.9 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 97% | Higher: 100% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 41,284 km² | 43,094 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 220.2/km² | 139.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 32 Mt | Lower: 28 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.6 t | 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.72B | $9.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 20,000 | 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
Denmark is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 1.3%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.2% in Switzerland and 1.9% in Denmark.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Denmark: a price level of 92 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $6,992 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 42.9 (Switzerland) and 41.3 (Denmark).
Life expectancy is 2.2 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 82.3).
Geography
By land area, Switzerland is almost exactly the same size as Denmark: 41,284 km² versus 43,094 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Denmark spends about 50% more on defence than Switzerland: $9.96B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Denmark carries the heavier military burden: 2.4% 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 Switzerland bigger than Denmark?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. Switzerland covers 41,284 km² while Denmark covers 43,094 km², a difference of under 4%.
- Which has more people, Switzerland or Denmark?
- Switzerland has the larger population: 9.09 million versus 6.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Switzerland richer than Denmark?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $76,970. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.04T for Switzerland versus $462.53B for Denmark.
- Who spends more on their military, Switzerland or Denmark?
- Denmark spends more: $9.96B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).