Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 9.6 times the population of Sweden: 101.60 million people against 10.60 million (2025).
Sweden's economy is 30% larger than Vietnam's, at $669.00B versus $514.70B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $514.70B | Higher: $669.00B | 2025 | $476.39B / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 3.6% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 87 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $4,783 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $12.04B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 2.0% | 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 1.5%.
Vietnam runs the hotter price environment: 3.3% inflation versus 0.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 87 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Vietnam is the younger society: median age 33.4 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 9.3 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 74.7).
Sweden is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Internet adoption is higher in Sweden (96% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 26% smaller than Sweden: 331,212 km² versus 450,295 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 24.
Military
Sweden spends 2.2 times as much on defence as Vietnam: $12.04B 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 Sweden?
- Sweden is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Sweden is 36% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Sweden?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $5,066. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Sweden?
- Sweden spends more: $12.04B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).