Updated
Overview
Thailand has 2.0 times the population of Poland: 71.62 million people against 36.44 million (2025).
Poland's economy is about 80% larger than Thailand's, at $1.04T versus $577.01B.
Per person, Poland is the wealthier of the two: $28,420 against $8,057 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Thailand | Poland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $577.01B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $526.41B / $914.70B |
| GDP per capita | $8,057 | Higher: $28,420 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.4% | Higher: 3.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: -0.1% | 3.8% | 2025 | 1.4% / 3.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 0.8% | 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 31 | 52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $508 | Higher: $2,302 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $254 | Higher: $1,241 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.02 | $6.22 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 71.62 million | 36.44 million | 2025 | 70.03 million / 38.75 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | -0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.6 yrs | 42.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.19 | 1.31 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.6 yrs | Higher: 78.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 63% | 60% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 91% | 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 513,120 km² | 312,679 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 139.6/km² | 116.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 268 Mt | 273 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 7.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.52B | $38.00B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.1% | 4.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 455,000 | 189,000 | 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
Poland is growing faster: 3.6% annual GDP growth versus 2.4%.
Poland runs the hotter price environment: 3.8% inflation versus -0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Thailand: a price level of 31 versus 52 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Poland: $2,302 against $508 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.6 (Thailand) and 42.5 (Poland).
Life expectancy is 1.8 years longer in Poland (78.4 vs 76.6).
Geography
By land area, Thailand is 64% larger than Poland: 513,120 km² versus 312,679 km².
Military
Poland spends 6.9 times as much on defence as Thailand: $38.00B versus $5.52B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Poland carries the heavier military burden: 4.2% of GDP versus 1.1%.
Thailand fields the larger armed forces: 455,000 personnel against 189,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Thailand bigger than Poland?
- Thailand is larger by land area. Thailand covers 513,120 km² while Poland covers 312,679 km², so Thailand is 64% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Thailand or Poland?
- Thailand has the larger population: 71.62 million versus 36.44 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Thailand richer than Poland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Poland is richer: $28,420 against $8,057. Total GDP tells the same story: $577.01B for Thailand versus $1.04T for Poland.
- Who spends more on their military, Thailand or Poland?
- Poland spends more: $38.00B versus $5.52B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).