Updated
Overview
Ukraine has 7.2 times the population of Slovakia: 38.98 million people against 5.41 million (2025).
Ukraine's economy is about 40% larger than Slovakia's, at $214.23B versus $154.53B.
Per person, Slovakia is the wealthier of the two: $28,544 against $5,866 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Ukraine | Slovakia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $214.23B | $154.53B | 2025 | $190.74B / $141.78B |
| GDP per capita | $5,866 | Higher: $28,544 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.8% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 12.7% | Lower: 4.0% | 2025 | 6.5% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | 9.8% | Lower: 5.4% | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 31 | 58 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $459 | Higher: $2,496 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $192 | Higher: $922 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.34 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 38.98 million | 5.41 million | 2025 | 35.66 million / 5.56 million |
| Population growth | 2.9% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.8 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.00 | 1.57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 78.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 53% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 82% | Higher: 90% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 603,500 km² | 49,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 64.6/km² | 110.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 142 Mt | Lower: 29 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.8 t | 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.70B | $2.85B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 34.5% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 298,000 | 18,000 | 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 0.8%.
Ukraine runs the hotter price environment: 12.7% inflation versus 4.0%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Ukraine: a price level of 31 versus 58 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Slovakia: $2,496 against $459 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.8 (Ukraine) and 42.3 (Slovakia).
Life expectancy is 3.7 years longer in Slovakia (78.4 vs 74.7).
Ukraine is considerably more urbanized: 70% of people live in cities, against 53%.
Geography
By land area, Ukraine is 12 times the size of Slovakia: 603,500 km² versus 49,037 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Ukraine spends 23 times as much on defence as Slovakia: $64.70B versus $2.85B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Ukraine carries the heavier military burden: 34.5% of GDP versus 2.0%.
Ukraine fields the larger armed forces: 298,000 personnel against 18,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Ukraine bigger than Slovakia?
- Ukraine is larger by land area. Ukraine covers 603,500 km² while Slovakia covers 49,037 km², so Ukraine is 12 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Ukraine or Slovakia?
- Ukraine has the larger population: 38.98 million versus 5.41 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Ukraine richer than Slovakia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Slovakia is richer: $28,544 against $5,866. Total GDP tells a different story: $214.23B for Ukraine versus $154.53B for Slovakia.
- Who spends more on their military, Ukraine or Slovakia?
- Ukraine spends more: $64.70B versus $2.85B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).