Updated
Overview
China has 38 times the population of Saudi Arabia: 1.41 billion people against 36.97 million (2025).
China's economy is 15 times the size of Saudi Arabia's, at $19.50T versus $1.28T.
Per person, Saudi Arabia is the wealthier of the two: $34,537 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Saudi Arabia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $1.28T | 2025 | $18.74T / $1.24T |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $34,537 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 2.1% | 2025 | 0.2% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | Higher: $1,799 | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | Higher: $1,067 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $5.06 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 36.97 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 36.54 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 2.29 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 79.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 85% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 92% | Higher: 100% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 2,149,690 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 692 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 8.7 t | 20.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $80.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 7.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 282,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (5.0% for China, 4.5% for Saudi Arabia).
Saudi Arabia runs the hotter price environment: 2.1% inflation versus 0.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour Saudi Arabia: $1,799 against $807 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Saudi Arabia is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 40.1 years.
Saudi Arabia is considerably more urbanized: 85% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, China is 4.5 times the size of Saudi Arabia: 9,596,960 km² versus 2,149,690 km².
China is far more densely settled: 147 people per km² against 17.
Military
China spends 3.9 times as much on defence as Saudi Arabia: $313.66B versus $80.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 1.7%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 282,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Saudi Arabia?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km², so China is 4.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Saudi Arabia?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 36.97 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Saudi Arabia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Saudi Arabia is richer: $34,537 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $1.28T for Saudi Arabia.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Saudi Arabia?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $80.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).