Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 2.1 times the population of Spain: 101.60 million people against 49.36 million (2025).
Spain's economy is 3.7 times the size of Vietnam's, at $1.91T versus $514.70B.
Per person, Spain is the wealthier of the two: $38,627 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Spain | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $514.70B | Higher: $1.91T | 2025 | $476.39B / $1.72T |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $38,627 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | 3.6% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 10.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 65 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $3,574 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $1,561 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 49.36 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 47.28 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 45.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.23 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 83.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 505,992 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 97.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 220 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 4.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $24.62B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 1.4% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 199,000 | 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 2.8%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Vietnam and 2.7% in Spain.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 65 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Spain: $3,574 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Vietnam is the far younger society: median age 33.4 versus 45.9 years.
Life expectancy is 9.2 years longer in Spain (83.9 vs 74.7).
Spain is considerably more urbanized: 81% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Internet adoption is higher in Spain (96% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 35% smaller than Spain: 331,212 km² versus 505,992 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 98.
Military
Spain spends 4.5 times as much on defence as Vietnam: $24.62B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 199,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Spain?
- Spain is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Spain covers 505,992 km², so Spain is 53% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Spain?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 49.36 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Spain?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Spain is richer: $38,627 against $5,066. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $1.91T for Spain.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Spain?
- Spain spends more: $24.62B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).