Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 2.7 times the population of Saudi Arabia: 101.60 million people against 36.97 million (2025).
Saudi Arabia's economy is 2.5 times the size of Vietnam's, at $1.28T versus $514.70B.
Per person, Saudi Arabia is the wealthier of the two: $34,537 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Saudi Arabia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $514.70B | Higher: $1.28T | 2025 | $476.39B / $1.24T |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $34,537 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 3.6% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 47 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $1,799 | 2024 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $1,067 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | $5.06 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 36.97 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 36.54 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 2.29 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 79.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 85% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 2,149,690 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 371 Mt | 692 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 20.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $80.33B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 7.3% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 282,000 | 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 4.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Vietnam and 2.1% in Saudi Arabia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Saudi Arabia: $1,799 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Saudi Arabia is the younger society: median age 29.6 versus 33.4 years.
Life expectancy is 4.2 years longer in Saudi Arabia (79.0 vs 74.7).
Saudi Arabia is considerably more urbanized: 85% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Internet adoption is higher in Saudi Arabia (100% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 85% smaller than Saudi Arabia: 331,212 km² versus 2,149,690 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 17.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends 15 times as much on defence as Vietnam: $80.33B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 1.8%.
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 282,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km², so Saudi Arabia is 6.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Saudi Arabia?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 36.97 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Saudi Arabia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Saudi Arabia is richer: $34,537 against $5,066. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $1.28T for Saudi Arabia.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).