Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 17 times the population of Denmark: 101.60 million people against 6.01 million (2025).
Vietnam's economy is 11% larger than Denmark's, at $514.70B versus $462.53B.
Per person, Denmark is the wealthier of the two: $76,970 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Denmark | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $514.70B | $462.53B | 2025 | $476.39B / $429.46B |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $76,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 1.9% | 2025 | 3.6% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 5.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 92 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $6,992 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | $7.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 6.01 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 6.05 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 43,094 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 139.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 28 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $9.96B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 2.4% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 2.9%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Vietnam and 1.9% in Denmark.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 92 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Denmark: $6,992 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Vietnam is the younger society: median age 33.4 versus 41.3 years.
Life expectancy is 7.5 years longer in Denmark (82.3 vs 74.7).
Denmark is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Internet adoption is higher in Denmark (100% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 7.7 times the size of Denmark: 331,212 km² versus 43,094 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 139.
Military
Denmark spends about 80% more on defence than Vietnam: $9.96B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Denmark?
- Vietnam is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Denmark covers 43,094 km², so Vietnam is 7.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Denmark?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 6.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Denmark?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Denmark is richer: $76,970 against $5,066. Total GDP tells a different story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $462.53B for Denmark.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Denmark?
- Denmark spends more: $9.96B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).