Updated
Overview
China has 5.5 times the population of Pakistan: 1.41 billion people against 255.22 million (2025).
China's economy is 48 times the size of Pakistan's, at $19.50T versus $407.31B.
Per person, China is the wealthier of the two: $13,862 against $1,596 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Pakistan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $407.31B | 2025 | $18.74T / $373.07B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,862 | $1,596 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 3.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 3.5% | 2025 | 0.2% / 12.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 5.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 24 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $807 | $95 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $268 | $133 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $3.89 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 255.22 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 257.05 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 20.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 3.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 67.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 40% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 57% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 881,912 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 289.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 180 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 0.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $10.17B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 2.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 943,000 | 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 3.7%.
Pakistan runs the hotter price environment: 3.5% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Pakistan: a price level of 24 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour China: $807 against $95 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Pakistan is the far younger society: median age 20.6 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 10.2 years longer in China (78.0 vs 67.8).
China is considerably more urbanized: 66% of people live in cities, against 40%.
Internet adoption is higher in China (92% vs 57% of the population).
Geography
By land area, China is 11 times the size of Pakistan: 9,596,960 km² versus 881,912 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
China spends 31 times as much on defence as Pakistan: $313.66B versus $10.17B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Pakistan carries the heavier military burden: 2.7% of GDP versus 1.7%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 943,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Pakistan?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Pakistan covers 881,912 km², so China is 11 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Pakistan?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 255.22 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Pakistan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, China is richer: $13,862 against $1,596. Total GDP tells the same story: $19.50T for China versus $407.31B for Pakistan.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Pakistan?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $10.17B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).