Switzerland vs Italy
Every indicator for Switzerland and Italy side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Switzerland | Italy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 9,092,436 | 58,915,656 | −84.6% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 1,044 | 2,552 | −59.1% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 114,769 | 43,309 | +165.0% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 84.4 | 84.0 | — |
| Area (km²) | 41,291 | 302,070 | −86.3% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 220 | 195 | +12.9% |
| Median age (years) | 43.0 | 48.4 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 97.3 | 89.2 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 4.9 | 6.4 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 0.2 | 1.5 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 85.7 | 69.7 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 6,722 | 37,965 | −82.3% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 0.72 | 1.61 | −55.3% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 2.27 | 3.18 | −28.6% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 739 | 644 | +14.7% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 20,000 | 338,000 | −94.1% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.2 | 5.7 | −61.7% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.40 | 1.35 | −70.4% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Switzerland relative to Italy; a positive value favors Switzerland. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
Italy is higher on 9 of the 12 indicators, while Switzerland leads on the remaining 3. The widest separation is in armed forces personnel (2020), about 17 times; they are closest on population density.
Key differences
- Armed forces personnel (2020) shows the widest gap of all: Italy stands at 338,000 against Switzerland's 20,000 — roughly 17 times as much.
- Italy's area (302,070) is about 7.3 times Switzerland's (41,291).
- Italy's population (2025) (58,915,656) is about 6.5 times Switzerland's (9,092,436).
- Italy's military expenditure (2024) (37,965) is about 5.6 times Switzerland's (6,722).
- Italy's armed forces as a share of the labor force (1.35) is about 3.4 times Switzerland's (0.40).
Frequently asked questions
Where do Switzerland and Italy differ most?
Where are Switzerland and Italy most alike?
On how many indicators is Switzerland ahead of Italy?
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 Switzerland or Italy.
Switzerland profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Italy profile →
All statistics, series, and details.