Updated
Overview
China has 26 times the population of Myanmar (Burma): 1.41 billion people against 54.85 million (2025).
China's economy is 239 times the size of Myanmar (Burma)'s, at $19.50T versus $81.67B.
Per person, China is the wealthier of the two: $13,862 against $1,489 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Myanmar (Burma) | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $81.67B | 2025 | $18.74T / $74.08B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,862 | $1,489 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | -2.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 8.8% | 2025 / 2019 | 0.2% / — |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $807 | $136 | 2022 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $268 | $90 | 2024 / 2020 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 54.85 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 57.93 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 30.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 2.08 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 67.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 31% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 45% | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 676,578 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 81.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 0.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $5.01B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 6.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 463,000 | 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 grew while the other economy contracted: 5.0% against -2.0%.
Myanmar (Burma) runs the hotter price environment: 8.8% inflation versus 0.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour China: $807 against $136 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Myanmar (Burma) is the far younger society: median age 30.1 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 10.9 years longer in China (78.0 vs 67.1).
China is considerably more urbanized: 66% of people live in cities, against 31%.
Internet adoption is higher in China (92% vs 45% of the population).
Geography
By land area, China is 14 times the size of Myanmar (Burma): 9,596,960 km² versus 676,578 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
China spends 63 times as much on defence as Myanmar (Burma): $313.66B versus $5.01B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Myanmar (Burma) carries the heavier military burden: 6.8% of GDP versus 1.7%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 463,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Myanmar (Burma)?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Myanmar (Burma) covers 676,578 km², so China is 14 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Myanmar (Burma)?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 54.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Myanmar (Burma)?
- Measured by GDP per capita, China is richer: $13,862 against $1,489. Total GDP tells the same story: $19.50T for China versus $81.67B for Myanmar (Burma).
- Who spends more on their military, China or Myanmar (Burma)?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $5.01B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).