Sweden vs Ukraine
Every indicator for Sweden and Ukraine side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Sweden | Ukraine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 10,596,620 | 38,980,376 | −72.8% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 669 | 214 | +212.6% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 63,133 | 5,866 | +976.3% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 84.1 | 74.7 | — |
| Area (km²) | 528,660 | 603,550 | −12.4% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 20 | 65 | −69.0% |
| Median age (years) | 41.1 | — | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 95.8 | 82.5 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 8.7 | 9.8 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 0.7 | 12.7 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 89.1 | 69.6 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 12,040 | 64,705 | −81.4% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 2.00 | 34.48 | −94.2% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 4.12 | 54.01 | −92.4% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 1,136 | 1,660 | −31.6% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 15,000 | 298,000 | −95.0% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 1.4 | 7.6 | −81.5% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.27 | 1.43 | −81.1% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Sweden relative to Ukraine; a positive value favors Sweden. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
Ukraine is higher on 10 of the 12 indicators, while Sweden leads on the remaining 2. The widest separation is in armed forces personnel (2020), about 20 times; they are closest on area.
Key differences
- Armed forces personnel (2020) shows the widest gap of all: Ukraine stands at 298,000 against Sweden's 15,000 — roughly 20 times as much.
- Military expenditure as a share of GDP shows the widest gap of all: Ukraine stands at 34.48 against Sweden's 2.00 — roughly 17 times as much.
- Military expenditure as a share of government spending shows the widest gap of all: Ukraine stands at 54.01 against Sweden's 4.12 — roughly 13 times as much.
- GDP per capita shows the widest gap of all: Sweden stands at 63,133 against Ukraine's 5,866 — roughly 11 times as much.
- Ukraine's armed forces per 1,000 people (7.6) is about 5.4 times Sweden's (1.4).
Frequently asked questions
Where do Sweden and Ukraine differ most?
In armed forces personnel (2020). Ukraine records 298,000 against Sweden's 15,000 — a ratio of roughly 20 to one.
Where are Sweden and Ukraine most alike?
In area, at 603,550 and 528,660 — a gap of only %14.
On how many indicators is Sweden ahead of Ukraine?
Sweden is higher on 2 of the 12 ratio-scale indicators and Ukraine on 10. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
SwedenUkraine
The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.
Related comparisons
Other comparisons involving Sweden or Ukraine.
Sweden profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Ukraine profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI