Italy vs Portugal

Every indicator for Italy and Portugal side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Indicator comparison
IndicatorItalyPortugalDifference
Population (2025) (people)58,915,65610,804,871+445.3%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)2,552347+635.4%
GDP per capita ($)43,30932,082+35.0%
Life expectancy (years)84.082.4—
Area (km²)302,07092,230+227.5%
Population density (people/km²)195117+66.5%
Median age (years)48.446.9—
Internet usage (%)89.288.5—
Unemployment rate (%)6.46.2—
Inflation (%)1.52.3—
Urban population (%)69.761.5—
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)37,9654,642+717.9%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)1.611.53+5.2%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)3.183.57−10.9%
Military expenditure per capita ($)644430+50.0%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)338,00052,000+550.0%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)5.74.8+19.2%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)1.351.01+33.7%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of Italy relative to Portugal; a positive value favors Italy. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.

At a glance

Italy is higher on 11 of the 12 indicators, while Portugal leads on the remaining 1. The widest separation is in military expenditure (2024), about 8.2 times; they are closest on military expenditure as a share of gdp.

Key differences

  • Italy's military expenditure (2024) (37,965) is about 8.2 times Portugal's (4,642).
  • Italy's gdp (nominal) (2,552) is about 7.4 times Portugal's (347).
  • Italy's armed forces personnel (2020) (338,000) is about 6.5 times Portugal's (52,000).
  • Italy's population (2025) (58,915,656) is about 5.5 times Portugal's (10,804,871).
  • Italy's area (302,070) is about 3.3 times Portugal's (92,230).

Frequently asked questions

Where do Italy and Portugal differ most?
In military expenditure (2024). Italy records 37,965 against Portugal's 4,642 — a ratio of roughly 8.2 to one.
Where are Italy and Portugal most alike?
In military expenditure as a share of gdp, at 1.61 and 1.53 — a gap of only %5.2.
On how many indicators is Italy ahead of Portugal?
Italy is higher on 11 of the 12 ratio-scale indicators and Portugal on 1. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
Italy and Portugal — core indicators
020 M40 M60 MPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — Italy: 58,915,656GDP (nominal) — Italy: 2,552GDP per capita — Italy: 43,309Area — Italy: 302,070Population (2025) — Portugal: 10,804,871GDP (nominal) — Portugal: 347GDP per capita — Portugal: 32,082Area — Portugal: 92,230
ItalyPortugal

The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.

Other comparisons involving Italy or Portugal.

Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI