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Austria vs Czechia
Australia vs United States
Side-by-side comparison of Australia and United States from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
Australia
East Asia & Pacific · nation age 125 years
United States
North America · nation age 250 years
In short
Australia scores 77.1 in the NationsTree Index (10th in the world) and United States scores 72.3 (30th), a gap of 4.8 points. Their trees are 30 m and 115 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
United States has 12 times the population of Australia. United States has 27% more land area than Australia. United States has an economy 15 times the size of Australia (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Australia 27.6 million and United States 341.8 million (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $90,027 in United States and $71,934 in Australia (2025, international dollars). People in Australia live on average 4.2 years longer (83.1 vs 78.9 years).
Of 34 indicators reported by both countries, Australia ranks higher in the world on 24 and United States on 10. Australia is clearly stronger in institutions & safety, society & health and natural resources. United States is clearly stronger in military, tourism and science & innovation.
As a nation, United States is the older of the two (statehood since 1776, 250 years), compared with Australia (since 1901). Over the last five years Australia improved faster (direction score 34 vs 24 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between Australia and United States.
Australiabetter
51.9%
88th of 189
United States
124.4%
179th of 189
Homicide rateInstitutions & safety
Australiabetter
0.9
34th of 145
United States
5.8
100th of 145
Central government debtEconomy
Australiabetter
57.9%
29th of 55
United States
115.8%
53rd of 55
Secondary enrolmentSociety & health
Australiabetter
131.9%
8th of 173
United States
97.5%
72nd of 173
Political stabilityInstitutions & safety
Australiabetter
79.3
60th of 207
United States
60.3
136th of 207
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
Australia overtook United States in the NationsTree Index in 2015 and has stayed ahead since.
United States has been ahead of Australia in GDP per person (PPP), GDP (PPP) and population in every year since 1990.
Australia has been ahead of United States in life expectancy in every year since 1990.
Strength by category
Average world percentile of the indicators in each category (0–100, direction taken into account). i
AustraliaUnited States All indicators
Latest available value for each country with its year and world rank. Green: the better world position of the two, red: the weaker one.
| Indicator | Australia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 7,741,2206th/216 · 2024 | 9,831,5103rd/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 7,688,2876th/216 · 2024 | 9,147,4203rd/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 27.6 m55th/217 · 2025 | 341.8 m3rd/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | 1.53%69th/217 · 2025 | 0.52%134th/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 3.5214th/216 · 2024 | 37.2166th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 87.7%41st/217 · 2025 | 80.2%57th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 17.7%144th/217 · 2025 | 17.1%152nd/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 18.1%48th/217 · 2025 | 18.4%45th/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $1.80 trn15th/210 · 2025 | $30.77 trn1st/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $1.99 trn20th/199 · 2025 | $30.77 trn2nd/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $1.66 trn21st/199 · 2025 | $26.29 trn2nd/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $65,13019th/210 · 2025 | $90,02711th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $71,93428th/199 · 2025 | $90,02712th/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $64,12016th/201 · 2025 | $88,8106th/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | 1.4%163rd/210 · 2025 | 2.2%139th/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 2.9%85th/180 · 2025 | 2.9%87th/180 · 2024 |
| Unemployment % | 4.1%69th/187 · 2025 | 4.2%70th/187 · 2025 |
| Central government debt % of GDP | 57.9%29th/55 · 2022 | 115.8%53rd/55 · 2024 |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 51.9%88th/189 · 2025 | 124.4%179th/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | -2.9%102nd/192 · 2025 | -7.1%173rd/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 2.3%144th/197 · 2025 | 0.9%172nd/197 · 2021 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 23.9%100th/200 · 2025 | 17.6%145th/200 · 2021 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 5.3%149th/192 · 2025 | 10.5%93rd/192 · 2021 |
| Services % of GDP | 67.5%44th/200 · 2025 | 76.3%16th/200 · 2021 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | $418.06 bn23rd/182 · 2025 | $3.22 trn2nd/182 · 2024 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | $407.49 bn22nd/182 · 2025 | $4.11 trn1st/182 · 2024 |
| Exports % of GDP | 23.2%130th/183 · 2025 | 11.0%173rd/183 · 2024 |
| Imports % of GDP | 22.7%159th/183 · 2025 | 14.0%179th/183 · 2024 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | 45.9%153rd/183 · 2025 | 25.0%180th/183 · 2024 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 26.9%31st/170 · 2025 | 17.3%38th/170 · 2025 |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 9.8%134th/171 · 2025 | 54.9%63rd/171 · 2025 |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 13.7%95th/171 · 2025 | 9.0%118th/171 · 2025 |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 34.6%12th/171 · 2025 | 3.0%87th/171 · 2025 |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 25.2%22nd/168 · 2024 | 24.3%23rd/168 · 2024 |
| Current account balance % of GDP | -2.6%107th/191 · 2025 | -3.8%127th/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | 2.1%97th/196 · 2025 | 1.0%145th/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 13.4%37th/209 · 2021 | 1.3%110th/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 0.26%69th/197 · 2021 | 0.61%53rd/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 1.72%25th/197 · 2021 | 0.36%43rd/197 · 2021 |
| Coal rents % of GDP | 0.79%8th/195 · 2021 | 0.17%25th/195 · 2021 |
| Mineral rents % of GDP | 10.47%11th/209 · 2021 | 0.10%70th/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 0.12%108th/209 · 2021 | 0.04%133rd/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 4.1%145th/206 · 2024 | 16.6%65th/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 18,90932nd/183 · 2022 | 8,43754th/183 · 2022 |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 1.8 m74th/194 · 2020 | 45.0 m4th/194 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $26.23 bn5th/175 · 2020 | $84.21 bn1st/175 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | 8.7%65th/168 · 2020 | 3.9%93rd/168 · 2020 |
| Outbound trips departures | 2.8 m42nd/107 · 2020 | 60.5 m2nd/107 · 2020 |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 83.122nd/217 · 2024 | 78.961st/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 3.625th/196 · 2024 | 6.553rd/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 4.0929th/174 · 2022 | 3.6839th/174 · 2022 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 3.82016 | 2.767th/145 · 2022 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 93%81st/193 · 2024 | 94%66th/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 93.2%37th/153 · 2024 | 96.6%21st/153 · 2024 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 131.9%8th/173 · 2024 | 97.5%72nd/173 · 2022 |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 28.2%48th/217 · 2025 | 28.5%46th/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 10.4%25th/193 · 2023 | 16.7%3rd/193 · 2023 |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | 108.4%8th/150 · 2024 | 79.4%29th/150 · 2022 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.9587th/193 · 2023 | 0.93817th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 33.82020 | 41.891st/108 · 2024 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 0.9%2020 | 1.1%52nd/108 · 2024 |
| Infrastructure & digital | ||
| Access to electricity % of population | 100.0%1st/215 · 2024 | 100.0%1st/215 · 2024 |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population | — | 97.6%39th/150 · 2024 |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population | 95.8%22nd/144 · 2024 | 97.0%17th/144 · 2024 |
| Internet users % of population | 96.1%19th/186 · 2024 | 94.7%28th/186 · 2024 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 113113th/210 · 2024 | 113111th/210 · 2024 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 36.537th/208 · 2024 | 38.929th/208 · 2024 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 4.109th/164 · 2022 | 3.9016th/164 · 2022 |
| Rail lines route-km | — | 148,5531st/82 · 2021 |
| Air passengers carried passengers | 69.0 m17th/161 · 2023 | 941.6 m1st/161 · 2023 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 14.10192nd/203 · 2024 | 13.62189th/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 12.3%130th/212 · 2021 | 10.9%142nd/212 · 2021 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 6.420th/200 · 2023 | 7.025th/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 17.4%138th/214 · 2024 | 33.8%102nd/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | 5,00016th/149 · 2024 | 6,45410th/149 · 2024 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 88.211th/205 · 2025 | 76.732nd/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 85.110th/207 · 2025 | 65.544th/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 82.720th/207 · 2025 | 71.747th/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 79.360th/207 · 2025 | 60.3136th/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 84.25th/205 · 2025 | 72.831st/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 83.715th/205 · 2025 | 69.659th/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | 0.934th/145 · 2023 | 5.8100th/145 · 2023 |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | $35.33 bn17th/156 · 2025 | $954.39 bn1st/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | 1.9%68th/156 · 2025 | 3.1%27th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | 4.9%82nd/154 · 2025 | 8.3%37th/154 · 2025 |
| Armed forces personnel people | 60,00064th/170 · 2020 | 1.4 m5th/170 · 2020 |
| Armed forces personnel % of labour force | 0.44%122nd/168 · 2020 | 0.84%84th/168 · 2020 |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 826.0 m11th/163 · 2025 | 745.0 m13th/163 · 2025 |
| Arms exports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 108.0 m26th/65 · 2025 | 14.0 bn1st/65 · 2025 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| R&D spending % of GDP | 1.86%19th/110 · 2021 | 3.45%5th/110 · 2023 |
| Patent applications by residents applications | 2,54218th/137 · 2024 | 270,2952nd/137 · 2024 |
| Scientific articles articles | 54,58915th/197 · 2023 | 430,8432nd/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, Australia or United States?
United States has the larger population: 341.8 m (2025) compared with 27.6 m for Australia (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, Australia or United States?
United States is larger: 9,831,510 km² (2024) compared with 7,741,220 km² for Australia (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, Australia or United States?
United States has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $30.77 trn intl. (2025) compared with $1.99 trn intl. for Australia (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, Australia or United States?
United States has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $90,027 intl. (2025) compared with $71,934 intl. for Australia (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in Australia or United States?
Australia has the higher life expectancy at birth: 83.1 years (2024) compared with 78.9 years for United States (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which spends more on the military, Australia or United States?
United States spends more on the military: $954.39 bn (2025) compared with $35.33 bn for Australia (2025). Source: World Bank, MS.MIL.XPND.CD.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, Australia or United States?
Australia: 77.1 points (10th in the world); United States: 72.3 points (30th). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Argentina
Canada
Indonesia
Italy
Malaysia
Mexico
New Zealand
Philippines
BermudaSources
World Bank World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators, compiling UN agencies, the IMF, WHO, SIPRI and national statistical offices; every row links to its world ranking with the source series. See Sources & licences and Methodology.
Cite as: NationsTree (2026). Australia vs United States — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/australia-vs-united-states. Data as of 26 October 2026.