Updated
Overview
Thailand has 3.6 times the population of Chile: 71.62 million people against 19.86 million (2025).
Thailand's economy is about 60% larger than Chile's, at $577.01B versus $357.37B.
Per person, Chile is the wealthier of the two: $17,995 against $8,057 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Thailand | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $577.01B | $357.37B | 2025 | $526.41B / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | $8,057 | Higher: $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.4% | Higher: 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: -0.1% | 4.2% | 2025 | 1.4% / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 0.8% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 31 | 48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $508 | Higher: $1,024 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $254 | Higher: $530 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.02 | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 71.62 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 70.03 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.6 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.19 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.6 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 63% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 91% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 513,120 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 139.6/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 268 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.52B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.1% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 455,000 | 114,000 | 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 (2.4% for Thailand, 2.5% for Chile).
Chile runs the hotter price environment: 4.2% inflation versus -0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Thailand: a price level of 31 versus 48 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Chile: $1,024 against $508 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Chile is the younger society: median age 36.9 versus 40.6 years.
Life expectancy is 4.8 years longer in Chile (81.4 vs 76.6).
Chile is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 63%.
Geography
By land area, Thailand is 32% smaller than Chile: 513,120 km² versus 756,102 km².
Thailand is far more densely settled: 140 people per km² against 26.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $5.52B (Thailand) and $5.11B (Chile).
Thailand fields the larger armed forces: 455,000 personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Thailand bigger than Chile?
- Chile is larger by land area. Thailand covers 513,120 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so Chile is 47% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Thailand or Chile?
- Thailand has the larger population: 71.62 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Thailand richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Chile is richer: $17,995 against $8,057. Total GDP tells a different story: $577.01B for Thailand versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, Thailand or Chile?
- Thailand spends more: $5.52B versus $5.11B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).