Updated
Overview
China has 9.8 times the population of Russia: 1.41 billion people against 143.51 million (2025).
China's economy is 7.6 times the size of Russia's, at $19.50T versus $2.56T.
Per person, Russia is the wealthier of the two: $17,547 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Russia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $2.56T | 2025 | $18.74T / $2.17T |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $17,547 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 8.7% | 2025 | 0.2% / 6.7% |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 32 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $807 | $777 | 2022 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $268 | $208 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $1.74 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 143.51 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 140.13 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 73.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 75% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 92% | Higher: 94% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 17,098,242 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 8.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 1,781 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 8.7 t | 12.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $148.97B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 7.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 1.5 million | 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 1.0%.
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour China: $807 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.1 (China) and 40.3 (Russia).
Life expectancy is 4.6 years longer in China (78.0 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, China is 44% smaller than Russia: 9,596,960 km² versus 17,098,242 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
China is far more densely settled: 147 people per km² against 8.
Military
China spends 2.1 times as much on defence as Russia: $313.66B versus $148.97B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 1.7%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 1.5 million (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Russia?
- Russia is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Russia covers 17,098,242 km², so Russia is 78% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, China or Russia?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 143.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Russia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Russia is richer: $17,547 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $2.56T for Russia.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Russia?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $148.97B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).