Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 5.1 times the population of Chile: 101.60 million people against 19.86 million (2025).
Vietnam's economy is about 45% larger than Chile's, at $514.70B versus $357.37B.
Per person, Chile is the wealthier of the two: $17,995 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $514.70B | $357.37B | 2025 | $476.39B / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.3% | 4.2% | 2025 | 3.6% / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 48 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $1,024 | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $530 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $5.11B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 1.6% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 114,000 | 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 2.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Vietnam and 4.2% in Chile.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 48 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Chile: $1,024 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Vietnam is the younger society: median age 33.4 versus 36.9 years.
Life expectancy is 6.6 years longer in Chile (81.4 vs 74.7).
Chile is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Internet adoption is higher in Chile (96% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 56% smaller than Chile: 331,212 km² versus 756,102 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 26.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $5.50B (Vietnam) and $5.11B (Chile).
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Chile?
- Chile is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so Chile is 2.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Chile?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Chile is richer: $17,995 against $5,066. Total GDP tells a different story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Chile?
- Vietnam spends more: $5.50B versus $5.11B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).