Updated
Overview
China has 139 times the population of Israel: 1.41 billion people against 10.12 million (2025).
China's economy is 32 times the size of Israel's, at $19.50T versus $610.78B.
Per person, Israel is the wealthier of the two: $60,337 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Israel | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $610.78B | 2025 | $18.74T / $540.38B |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $60,337 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 3.0% | 2025 | 0.2% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 101 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | Higher: $3,383 | 2022 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | Higher: $1,589 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $7.67 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 10.12 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 9.40 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 29.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 2.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 88% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 20,770 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 487.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 53 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 5.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $46.51B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 8.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 178,000 | 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 2.9%.
Israel runs the hotter price environment: 3.0% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in China: a price level of 47 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Israel: $3,383 against $807 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Israel is the far younger society: median age 29.2 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 5.2 years longer in Israel (83.2 vs 78.0).
Israel is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, China is 462 times the size of Israel: 9,596,960 km² versus 20,770 km².
Israel is far more densely settled: 487 people per km² against 147.
Military
China spends 6.7 times as much on defence as Israel: $313.66B versus $46.51B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 1.7%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 178,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Israel?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Israel covers 20,770 km², so China is 462 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Israel?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 10.12 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Israel?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Israel is richer: $60,337 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $610.78B for Israel.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Israel?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $46.51B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).