Updated
Overview
China has 47 times the population of Nepal: 1.41 billion people against 29.62 million (2025).
China's economy is 429 times the size of Nepal's, at $19.50T versus $45.49B.
Per person, China is the wealthier of the two: $13,862 against $1,536 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Nepal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $45.49B | 2025 | $18.74T / $42.91B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,862 | $1,536 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 2.7% | 2025 | 0.2% / 7.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 10.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 24 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | — | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $268 | $129 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 29.62 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 31.33 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 25.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.94 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 70.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 67% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 46% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 147,181 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 201.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 19 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 0.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $426.52M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 112,000 | 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 4.4%.
Nepal runs the hotter price environment: 2.7% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Nepal: a price level of 24 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Nepal is the far younger society: median age 25.3 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 7.4 years longer in China (78.0 vs 70.6).
Internet adoption is higher in China (92% vs 46% of the population).
Geography
By land area, China is 65 times the size of Nepal: 9,596,960 km² versus 147,181 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
China spends 735 times as much on defence as Nepal: $313.66B versus $426.52M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 112,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Nepal?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Nepal covers 147,181 km², so China is 65 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Nepal?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 29.62 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Nepal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, China is richer: $13,862 against $1,536. Total GDP tells the same story: $19.50T for China versus $45.49B for Nepal.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Nepal?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $426.52M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).