Updated
Overview
The United States has 38 times the population of Switzerland: 341.78 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
The United States' economy is 29 times the size of Switzerland's, at $30.77T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $90,027 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United States | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.77T | $1.04T | 2025 | $29.18T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $90,027 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.2% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.9% | Lower: 0.2% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 100 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $6,273 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,257 | Higher: $4,784 | 2026 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 341.78 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 338.02 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.5 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.9 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,833,517 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 34.8/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4,904 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 14.2 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $997.31B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.4 million | 20,000 | 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 1.3%.
The United States runs the hotter price environment: 2.9% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the United States: a price level of 100 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $6,273 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The United States is the younger society: median age 38.5 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 5.5 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 78.9).
Geography
By land area, the United States is 238 times the size of Switzerland: 9,833,517 km² versus 41,284 km².
Switzerland is far more densely settled: 220 people per km² against 35.
Military
The United States spends 148 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $997.31B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United States carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 0.7%.
The United States fields the larger armed forces: 1.4 million personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United States bigger than Switzerland?
- The United States is larger by land area. The United States covers 9,833,517 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so the United States is 238 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United States or Switzerland?
- The United States has the larger population: 341.78 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United States richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $90,027. Total GDP tells a different story: $30.77T for the United States versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, the United States or Switzerland?
- The United States spends more: $997.31B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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