Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 19 times the population of Ireland: 101.60 million people against 5.48 million (2025).
Ireland's economy is about 40% larger than Vietnam's, at $721.70B versus $514.70B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $514.70B | Higher: $721.70B | 2025 | $476.39B / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 8.0% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | 3.6% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 85 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $5,697 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $2,579 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $1.33B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 0.2% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 8.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Vietnam and 2.2% in Ireland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Ireland: $5,697 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Vietnam is the younger society: median age 33.4 versus 39.0 years.
Life expectancy is 8.3 years longer in Ireland (83.0 vs 74.7).
Ireland is considerably more urbanized: 65% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Internet adoption is higher in Ireland (97% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 4.7 times the size of Ireland: 331,212 km² versus 70,273 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 78.
Military
Vietnam spends 4.1 times as much on defence as Ireland: $5.50B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Vietnam carries the heavier military burden: 1.8% of GDP versus 0.2%.
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Ireland?
- Vietnam is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so Vietnam is 4.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Ireland?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $5,066. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Ireland?
- Vietnam spends more: $5.50B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).