Updated
Overview
The United States has about 60% more people than Brazil: 341.78 million against 212.81 million (2025).
The United States' economy is 13 times the size of Brazil's, at $30.77T versus $2.28T.
Per person, the United States is the wealthier of the two: $90,027 against $10,713 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United States | Brazil | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.77T | $2.28T | 2025 | $29.18T / $2.18T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $90,027 | $10,713 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.2% | Higher: 2.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.9% | 5.0% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 100 | 46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,273 | $607 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,257 | $262 | 2026 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $4.71 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 341.78 million | 212.81 million | 2025 | 338.02 million / 221.36 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.5 yrs | 34.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.9 yrs | 76.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 95% | 84% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,833,517 km² | 8,515,767 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 34.8/km² | 25.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4,904 Mt | Lower: 483 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 14.2 t | Lower: 2.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $997.31B | $20.95B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.4 million | 762,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (2.2% for the United States, 2.3% for Brazil).
Brazil runs the hotter price environment: 5.0% inflation versus 2.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Brazil: a price level of 46 versus 100 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United States: $6,273 against $607 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Brazil is the younger society: median age 34.8 versus 38.5 years.
Life expectancy is 2.9 years longer in the United States (78.9 vs 76.0).
Internet adoption is higher in the United States (95% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the United States is 15% larger than Brazil: 9,833,517 km² versus 8,515,767 km².
Military
The United States spends 48 times as much on defence as Brazil: $997.31B versus $20.95B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United States carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 1.0%.
The United States fields the larger armed forces: 1.4 million personnel against 762,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United States bigger than Brazil?
- The United States is larger by land area. The United States covers 9,833,517 km² while Brazil covers 8,515,767 km², so the United States is 15% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, the United States or Brazil?
- The United States has the larger population: 341.78 million versus 212.81 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United States richer than Brazil?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United States is richer: $90,027 against $10,713. Total GDP tells the same story: $30.77T for the United States versus $2.28T for Brazil.
- Who spends more on their military, the United States or Brazil?
- The United States spends more: $997.31B versus $20.95B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).