Updated
Overview
China has 130 times the population of Portugal: 1.41 billion people against 10.80 million (2025).
China's economy is 56 times the size of Portugal's, at $19.50T versus $346.64B.
Per person, Portugal is the wealthier of the two: $32,082 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Portugal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $346.64B | 2025 | $18.74T / $308.68B |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $32,082 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 2.3% | 2025 | 0.2% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 6.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | Higher: $1,426 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | Higher: $1,147 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 10.80 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 10.19 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 46.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 82.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 61% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 88% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 92,090 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 117.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 36 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 3.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $4.64B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 52,000 | 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 much faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.9%.
Portugal runs the hotter price environment: 2.3% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in China: a price level of 47 versus 60 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Portugal: $1,426 against $807 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
China is the younger society: median age 40.1 versus 46.9 years.
Life expectancy is 4.4 years longer in Portugal (82.4 vs 78.0).
Geography
By land area, China is 104 times the size of Portugal: 9,596,960 km² versus 92,090 km².
Military
China spends 68 times as much on defence as Portugal: $313.66B versus $4.64B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 52,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Portugal?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Portugal covers 92,090 km², so China is 104 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Portugal?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 10.80 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Portugal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Portugal is richer: $32,082 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $346.64B for Portugal.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Portugal?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $4.64B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).