Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 11 times the population of Switzerland: 101.60 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is 2.0 times the size of Vietnam's, at $1.04T versus $514.70B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $514.70B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $476.39B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 3.6% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 112 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $7,309 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $6.72B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 0.7% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 20,000 | 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 1.3%.
Vietnam runs the hotter price environment: 3.3% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Vietnam is the far younger society: median age 33.4 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 9.7 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 74.7).
Switzerland is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Internet adoption is higher in Switzerland (97% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 8.0 times the size of Switzerland: 331,212 km² versus 41,284 km².
Military
Switzerland spends 22% more on defence than Vietnam: $6.72B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Vietnam carries the heavier military burden: 1.8% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Switzerland?
- Vietnam is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Vietnam is 8.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Switzerland?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $5,066. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Switzerland?
- Switzerland spends more: $6.72B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).