Updated
Overview
Ukraine has 4.1 times the population of Hungary: 38.98 million people against 9.51 million (2025).
Hungary's economy is 15% larger than Ukraine's, at $246.49B versus $214.23B.
Per person, Hungary is the wealthier of the two: $25,907 against $5,866 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Ukraine | Hungary | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $214.23B | Higher: $246.49B | 2025 | $190.74B / $222.91B |
| GDP per capita | $5,866 | Higher: $25,907 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.8% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 12.7% | Lower: 4.4% | 2025 | 6.5% / 3.7% |
| Unemployment | 9.8% | Lower: 4.5% | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 31 | 52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $459 | Higher: $1,290 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $192 | Higher: $823 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.34 | $5.30 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 38.98 million | 9.51 million | 2025 | 35.66 million / 9.86 million |
| Population growth | 2.9% | -0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.8 yrs | 43.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.00 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 76.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 71% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 82% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 603,500 km² | 93,028 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 64.6/km² | 102.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 142 Mt | Lower: 40 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.8 t | 4.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.70B | $4.73B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 34.5% | 2.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 298,000 | 46,000 | 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 0.5%.
Ukraine runs the hotter price environment: 12.7% inflation versus 4.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Ukraine: a price level of 31 versus 52 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Hungary: $1,290 against $459 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Ukraine is the younger society: median age 41.8 versus 43.9 years.
Life expectancy is 2.0 years longer in Hungary (76.7 vs 74.7).
Internet adoption is higher in Hungary (94% vs 82% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Ukraine is 6.5 times the size of Hungary: 603,500 km² versus 93,028 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Ukraine spends 14 times as much on defence as Hungary: $64.70B versus $4.73B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Ukraine carries the heavier military burden: 34.5% of GDP versus 2.2%.
Ukraine fields the larger armed forces: 298,000 personnel against 46,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Ukraine bigger than Hungary?
- Ukraine is larger by land area. Ukraine covers 603,500 km² while Hungary covers 93,028 km², so Ukraine is 6.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Ukraine or Hungary?
- Ukraine has the larger population: 38.98 million versus 9.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Ukraine richer than Hungary?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Hungary is richer: $25,907 against $5,866. Total GDP tells the same story: $214.23B for Ukraine versus $246.49B for Hungary.
- Who spends more on their military, Ukraine or Hungary?
- Ukraine spends more: $64.70B versus $4.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).