Updated
Overview
China has 130 times the population of Tajikistan: 1.41 billion people against 10.79 million (2025).
China's economy is 1,104 times the size of Tajikistan's, at $19.50T versus $17.66B.
Per person, China is the wealthier of the two: $13,862 against $1,637 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Tajikistan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $17.66B | 2025 | $18.74T / $14.21B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,862 | $1,637 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 5.0% | Higher: 8.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 6.0% | 2025 / 2016 | 0.2% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 6.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 28 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $807 | $140 | 2022 / 2019 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $268 | $74 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 10.79 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 10.59 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 22.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 2.99 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 71.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 26% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 56% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 143,100 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 75.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 11 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 1.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $246.39M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 1.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 17,000 | 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
Tajikistan is growing much faster: 8.4% annual GDP growth versus 5.0%.
Tajikistan runs the hotter price environment: 6.0% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Tajikistan: a price level of 28 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour China: $807 against $140 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Tajikistan is the far younger society: median age 22.2 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 6.1 years longer in China (78.0 vs 71.9).
China is considerably more urbanized: 66% of people live in cities, against 26%.
Internet adoption is higher in China (92% vs 56% of the population).
Geography
By land area, China is 67 times the size of Tajikistan: 9,596,960 km² versus 143,100 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
China spends 1,273 times as much on defence as Tajikistan: $313.66B versus $246.39M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 17,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Tajikistan?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Tajikistan covers 143,100 km², so China is 67 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Tajikistan?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 10.79 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Tajikistan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, China is richer: $13,862 against $1,637. Total GDP tells the same story: $19.50T for China versus $17.66B for Tajikistan.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Tajikistan?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $246.39M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).