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 | Thailand | Vietnam | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 71,619,863 | 101,598,527 | −29.5% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 577 | 515 | +12.0% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 8,057 | 5,066 | +59.0% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 76.6 | 74.7 | — |
| Area (km²) | 513,115 | 331,338 | +54.9% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 140 | 307 | −54.5% |
| Median age (years) | 40.5 | 33.1 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 90.9 | 84.2 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 0.8 | 1.5 | — |
| Inflation (%) | -0.1 | 3.3 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 62.8 | 38.8 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024 / 2018) (million $) | 5,522 | 5,500 | +0.4% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 1.08 | 1.81 | −40.3% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 4.54 | 8.82 | −48.5% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 77 | 54 | +42.4% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 455,000 | 522,000 | −12.8% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 6.4 | 5.1 | +23.7% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 1.13 | 0.95 | +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.
At a glance
Thailand is higher on 7 of the 12 indicators, while Vietnam leads on the remaining 5. The widest separation is in population density, about 2.2 times; they are closest on military expenditure (2024 / 2018).
Key differences
- Vietnam's population density (307) is about 2.2 times Thailand's (140).
- On military expenditure as a share of government spending, Vietnam is %94 higher than Thailand: 8.82 against 4.54.
- On military expenditure as a share of gdp, Vietnam is %68 higher than Thailand: 1.81 against 1.08.
- On gdp per capita, Thailand is %59 higher than Vietnam: 8,057 against 5,066.
- On area, Thailand is %55 higher than Vietnam: 513,115 against 331,338.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Thailand and Vietnam differ most?
Where are Thailand and Vietnam most alike?
On how many indicators is Thailand ahead of Vietnam?
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 Thailand or Vietnam.
Thailand profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Vietnam profile →
All statistics, series, and details.