Updated
Overview
Ukraine and Poland are nearly matched in population: 38.98 million versus 36.44 million people (2025).
Poland's economy is 4.8 times the size of Ukraine's, at $1.04T versus $214.23B.
Per person, Poland is the wealthier of the two: $28,420 against $5,866 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Ukraine | Poland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $214.23B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $190.74B / $914.70B |
| GDP per capita | $5,866 | Higher: $28,420 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.8% | Higher: 3.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 12.7% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | 6.5% / 3.8% |
| Unemployment | 9.8% | Lower: 3.0% | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 31 | 52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $459 | Higher: $2,302 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $192 | Higher: $1,241 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.34 | $6.22 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 38.98 million | 36.44 million | 2025 | 35.66 million / 38.75 million |
| Population growth | 2.9% | -0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.8 yrs | 42.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.00 | 1.31 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 78.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 60% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 82% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 603,500 km² | 312,679 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 64.6/km² | 116.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 142 Mt | 273 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.8 t | 7.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.70B | $38.00B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 34.5% | 4.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 298,000 | 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 1.8%.
Ukraine runs the hotter price environment: 12.7% inflation versus 3.8%.
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 Poland: $2,302 against $459 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.8 (Ukraine) and 42.5 (Poland).
Life expectancy is 3.7 years longer in Poland (78.4 vs 74.7).
Geography
By land area, Ukraine is 93% larger than Poland: 603,500 km² versus 312,679 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Ukraine spends about 70% more on defence than Poland: $64.70B versus $38.00B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Ukraine carries the heavier military burden: 34.5% of GDP versus 4.2%.
Ukraine fields the larger armed forces: 298,000 personnel against 189,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Ukraine bigger than Poland?
- Ukraine is larger by land area. Ukraine covers 603,500 km² while Poland covers 312,679 km², so Ukraine is 93% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Ukraine or Poland?
- Ukraine has the larger population: 38.98 million versus 36.44 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Ukraine richer than Poland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Poland is richer: $28,420 against $5,866. Total GDP tells the same story: $214.23B for Ukraine versus $1.04T for Poland.
- Who spends more on their military, Ukraine or Poland?
- Ukraine spends more: $64.70B versus $38.00B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).