Updated
Overview
China has 8.0 times the population of Bangladesh: 1.41 billion people against 175.69 million (2025).
China's economy is 43 times the size of Bangladesh's, at $19.50T versus $456.32B.
Per person, China is the wealthier of the two: $13,862 against $2,597 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Bangladesh | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $456.32B | 2025 | $18.74T / $450.12B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,862 | $2,597 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 8.8% | 2025 | 0.2% / 10.5% |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 25 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $807 | $134 | 2022 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $268 | $108 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 175.69 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 174.37 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 26.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 2.11 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 74.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 33% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 53% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 147,570 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 1190.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 108 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 0.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $4.03B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 0.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 227,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
China is growing faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 3.5%.
Bangladesh runs the hotter price environment: 8.8% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Bangladesh: a price level of 25 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour China: $807 against $134 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Bangladesh is the far younger society: median age 26.0 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 3.1 years longer in China (78.0 vs 74.9).
China is considerably more urbanized: 66% of people live in cities, against 33%.
Internet adoption is higher in China (92% vs 53% of the population).
Geography
By land area, China is 65 times the size of Bangladesh: 9,596,960 km² versus 147,570 km².
Bangladesh is far more densely settled: 1191 people per km² against 147.
Military
China spends 78 times as much on defence as Bangladesh: $313.66B versus $4.03B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 227,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Bangladesh?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Bangladesh covers 147,570 km², so China is 65 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Bangladesh?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 175.69 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Bangladesh?
- Measured by GDP per capita, China is richer: $13,862 against $2,597. Total GDP tells the same story: $19.50T for China versus $456.32B for Bangladesh.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Bangladesh?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $4.03B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).