Thailand vs Vietnam

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

Indicator comparison
IndicatorThailandVietnamDifference
Population (2025) (people)71,619,863101,598,527−29.5%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)577515+12.0%
GDP per capita ($)8,0575,066+59.0%
Life expectancy (years)76.674.7
Area (km²)513,115331,338+54.9%
Population density (people/km²)140307−54.5%
Median age (years)40.533.1
Internet usage (%)90.984.2
Unemployment rate (%)0.81.5
Inflation (%)-0.13.3
Urban population (%)62.838.8
Military expenditure (2024 / 2018) (million $)5,5225,500+0.4%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)1.081.81−40.3%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)4.548.82−48.5%
Military expenditure per capita ($)7754+42.4%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)455,000522,000−12.8%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)6.45.1+23.7%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)1.130.95+18.9%

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

Key differences

  • On population (2025), Thailand is 29.5% lower than Vietnam.
  • On gdp (nominal), Thailand is 12.0% higher than Vietnam.
  • On gdp per capita, Thailand is 59.0% higher than Vietnam.
Thailand and Vietnam — core indicators
050 mn100 mn150 mnPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — Thailand: 71.619.863GDP (nominal) — Thailand: 577GDP per capita — Thailand: 8.057Area — Thailand: 513.115Population (2025) — Vietnam: 101.598.527GDP (nominal) — Vietnam: 515GDP per capita — Vietnam: 5.066Area — Vietnam: 331.338
ThailandVietnam

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

Other comparisons involving Thailand or Vietnam.

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