Updated
Overview
Ukraine has 4.3 times the population of Belarus: 38.98 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Ukraine's economy is 2.3 times the size of Belarus's, at $214.23B versus $93.40B.
Per person, Belarus is the wealthier of the two: $10,279 against $5,866 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Ukraine | Belarus | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $214.23B | $93.40B | 2025 | $190.74B / $75.96B |
| GDP per capita | $5,866 | Higher: $10,279 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.8% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 12.7% | Lower: 6.6% | 2025 | 6.5% / 5.8% |
| Unemployment | 9.8% | Lower: 3.4% | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 31 | 30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $459 | — | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $192 | Higher: $193 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.34 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 38.98 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 35.66 million / 9.46 million |
| Population growth | 2.9% | -0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.8 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.00 | 1.22 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 74.7 yrs | 74.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 82% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 603,500 km² | 207,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 64.6/km² | 43.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 142 Mt | Lower: 56 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.8 t | 6.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.70B | $1.49B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 34.5% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 298,000 | 158,000 | 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
Ukraine is growing faster: 1.8% annual GDP growth versus 1.3%.
Ukraine runs the hotter price environment: 12.7% inflation versus 6.6%.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.8 (Ukraine) and 41.3 (Belarus).
Internet adoption is higher in Belarus (94% vs 82% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Ukraine is 2.9 times the size of Belarus: 603,500 km² versus 207,600 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Ukraine spends 43 times as much on defence as Belarus: $64.70B versus $1.49B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Ukraine carries the heavier military burden: 34.5% of GDP versus 2.1%.
Ukraine fields the larger armed forces: 298,000 personnel against 158,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Ukraine bigger than Belarus?
- Ukraine is larger by land area. Ukraine covers 603,500 km² while Belarus covers 207,600 km², so Ukraine is 2.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Ukraine or Belarus?
- Ukraine has the larger population: 38.98 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Ukraine richer than Belarus?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belarus is richer: $10,279 against $5,866. Total GDP tells a different story: $214.23B for Ukraine versus $93.40B for Belarus.
- Who spends more on their military, Ukraine or Belarus?
- Ukraine spends more: $64.70B versus $1.49B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).