Updated
Overview
Vietnam has about 50% more people than France: 101.60 million against 68.72 million (2025).
France's economy is 6.5 times the size of Vietnam's, at $3.37T versus $514.70B.
Per person, France is the wealthier of the two: $48,986 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | France | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $514.70B | Higher: $3.37T | 2025 | $476.39B / $3.16T |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $48,986 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 3.6% / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 7.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 77 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $5,024 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $2,036 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 68.72 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 68.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 643,801 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 106.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 264 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $64.68B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 2.1% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 304,000 | 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 0.8%.
Vietnam runs the hotter price environment: 3.3% inflation versus 0.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 77 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Vietnam is the far younger society: median age 33.4 versus 42.3 years.
Life expectancy is 8.2 years longer in France (83.0 vs 74.7).
France is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 49% smaller than France: 331,212 km² versus 643,801 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 107.
Military
France spends 12 times as much on defence as Vietnam: $64.68B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 304,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than France?
- France is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while France covers 643,801 km², so France is 94% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or France?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 68.72 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than France?
- Measured by GDP per capita, France is richer: $48,986 against $5,066. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $3.37T for France.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or France?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).