Updated
Overview
China has 256 times the population of Ireland: 1.41 billion people against 5.48 million (2025).
China's economy is 27 times the size of Ireland's, at $19.50T versus $721.70B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $721.70B | 2025 | $18.74T / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 5.0% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 2.2% | 2025 | 0.2% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | Higher: $5,697 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | Higher: $2,579 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 5.48 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 92% | Higher: 97% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 5.0%.
Ireland runs the hotter price environment: 2.2% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in China: a price level of 47 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Ireland: $5,697 against $807 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.1 (China) and 39.0 (Ireland).
Life expectancy is 5.0 years longer in Ireland (83.0 vs 78.0).
Geography
By land area, China is 137 times the size of Ireland: 9,596,960 km² versus 70,273 km².
Military
China spends 236 times as much on defence as Ireland: $313.66B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, China carries the heavier military burden: 1.7% of GDP versus 0.2%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Ireland?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so China is 137 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Ireland?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Ireland?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).