Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 5.7 times the population of Cambodia: 101.60 million people against 17.85 million (2025).
Vietnam's economy is 10 times the size of Cambodia's, at $514.70B versus $51.27B.
Per person, Vietnam is the wealthier of the two: $5,066 against $2,872 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Cambodia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $514.70B | $51.27B | 2025 | $476.39B / $46.35B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $5,066 | $2,872 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 5.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 2.4% | 2025 | 3.6% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | 1.5% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 34 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $355 | $279 | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 17.85 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 17.23 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 26.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 2.51 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 74.7 yrs | 70.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 41% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 84% | 68% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 181,035 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 98.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 22 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 1.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $720.54M | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 1.5% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 191,000 | 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 faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 5.3%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Vietnam and 2.4% in Cambodia.
Average monthly earnings favour Vietnam: $355 against $279 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Cambodia is the younger society: median age 26.2 versus 33.4 years.
Life expectancy is 3.9 years longer in Vietnam (74.7 vs 70.8).
Internet adoption is higher in Vietnam (84% vs 68% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 83% larger than Cambodia: 331,212 km² versus 181,035 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 99.
Military
Vietnam spends 7.6 times as much on defence as Cambodia: $5.50B versus $720.54M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 191,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Cambodia?
- Vietnam is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Cambodia covers 181,035 km², so Vietnam is 83% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Cambodia?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 17.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Cambodia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Vietnam is richer: $5,066 against $2,872. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $51.27B for Cambodia.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Cambodia?
- Vietnam spends more: $5.50B versus $720.54M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).