Updated
Overview
The United States has 32 times the population of Sweden: 341.78 million people against 10.60 million (2025).
The United States' economy is 46 times the size of Sweden's, at $30.77T versus $669.00B.
Per person, the United States is the wealthier of the two: $90,027 against $63,133 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United States | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.77T | $669.00B | 2025 | $29.18T / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $90,027 | $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.2% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.9% | Lower: 0.7% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 100 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,273 | $4,783 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,257 | — | 2026 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 341.78 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 338.02 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.5 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.9 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,833,517 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 34.8/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4,904 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 14.2 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $997.31B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.4 million | 15,000 | 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 1.5%.
The United States runs the hotter price environment: 2.9% inflation versus 0.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Sweden: a price level of 87 versus 100 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United States: $6,273 against $4,783 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 38.5 (the United States) and 40.3 (Sweden).
Life expectancy is 5.2 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 78.9).
Geography
By land area, the United States is 22 times the size of Sweden: 9,833,517 km² versus 450,295 km².
Military
The United States spends 83 times as much on defence as Sweden: $997.31B versus $12.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United States carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 2.0%.
The United States fields the larger armed forces: 1.4 million personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United States bigger than Sweden?
- The United States is larger by land area. The United States covers 9,833,517 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so the United States is 22 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United States or Sweden?
- The United States has the larger population: 341.78 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United States richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United States is richer: $90,027 against $63,133. Total GDP tells the same story: $30.77T for the United States versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, the United States or Sweden?
- The United States spends more: $997.31B versus $12.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).