Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 3.7 times the population of Australia: 101.60 million people against 27.61 million (2025).
Australia's economy is 3.5 times the size of Vietnam's, at $1.80T versus $514.70B.
Per person, Australia is the wealthier of the two: $65,130 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Australia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $514.70B | Higher: $1.80T | 2025 | $476.39B / $1.75T |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $65,130 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 2.9% | 2025 | 3.6% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 4.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 90 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $4,436 | 2024 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $2,655 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | $5.95 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 27.61 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 27.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 38.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 7,692,024 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 3.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 371 Mt | 387 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 14.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $33.82B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 1.9% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 60,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.4%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Vietnam and 2.9% in Australia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 90 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Australia: $4,436 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Vietnam is the younger society: median age 33.4 versus 38.3 years.
Life expectancy is 8.3 years longer in Australia (83.1 vs 74.7).
Australia is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Internet adoption is higher in Australia (96% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is only about 1/23 the size of Australia: 331,212 km² versus 7,692,024 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 4.
Military
Australia spends 6.1 times as much on defence as Vietnam: $33.82B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Australia?
- Australia is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Australia covers 7,692,024 km², so Australia is 23 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Australia?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 27.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Australia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $5,066. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $1.80T for Australia.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Australia?
- Australia spends more: $33.82B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).