Updated
Overview
The United States has 5.0 times the population of France: 341.78 million people against 68.72 million (2025).
The United States' economy is 9.1 times the size of France's, at $30.77T versus $3.37T.
Per person, the United States is the wealthier of the two: $90,027 against $48,986 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United States | France | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.77T | $3.37T | 2025 | $29.18T / $3.16T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $90,027 | $48,986 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.2% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.9% | Lower: 0.9% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 7.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 100 | 77 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,273 | $5,024 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,257 | Higher: $2,036 | 2026 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 341.78 million | 68.72 million | 2025 | 338.02 million / 68.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.5 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.9 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 95% | 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,833,517 km² | 643,801 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 34.8/km² | 106.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4,904 Mt | Lower: 264 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 14.2 t | Lower: 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $997.31B | $64.68B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.4 million | 304,000 | 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
The United States is growing faster: 2.2% annual GDP growth versus 0.8%.
The United States runs the hotter price environment: 2.9% inflation versus 0.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in France: a price level of 77 versus 100 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United States: $6,273 against $5,024 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The United States is the younger society: median age 38.5 versus 42.3 years.
Life expectancy is 4.1 years longer in France (83.0 vs 78.9).
Geography
By land area, the United States is 15 times the size of France: 9,833,517 km² versus 643,801 km².
France is far more densely settled: 107 people per km² against 35.
Military
The United States spends 15 times as much on defence as France: $997.31B versus $64.68B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United States carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 2.1%.
The United States fields the larger armed forces: 1.4 million personnel against 304,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United States bigger than France?
- The United States is larger by land area. The United States covers 9,833,517 km² while France covers 643,801 km², so the United States is 15 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United States or France?
- The United States has the larger population: 341.78 million versus 68.72 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United States richer than France?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United States is richer: $90,027 against $48,986. Total GDP tells the same story: $30.77T for the United States versus $3.37T for France.
- Who spends more on their military, the United States or France?
- The United States spends more: $997.31B versus $64.68B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).