Updated
Overview
China has 14 times the population of Vietnam: 1.41 billion people against 101.60 million (2025).
China's economy is 38 times the size of Vietnam's, at $19.50T versus $514.70B.
Per person, China is the wealthier of the two: $13,862 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Vietnam | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $514.70B | 2025 | $18.74T / $476.39B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,862 | $5,066 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 5.0% | Higher: 8.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 3.3% | 2025 | 0.2% / 3.6% |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 29 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $807 | $355 | 2022 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $268 | $205 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $2.89 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 101.60 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 106.69 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 33.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.88 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 74.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 39% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 84% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 331,212 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 306.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 371 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $5.50B | 2024 / 2018 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 1.8% | 2024 / 2018 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 522,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 5.0%.
Vietnam runs the hotter price environment: 3.3% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour China: $807 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Vietnam is the younger society: median age 33.4 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 3.3 years longer in China (78.0 vs 74.7).
China is considerably more urbanized: 66% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Geography
By land area, China is 29 times the size of Vietnam: 9,596,960 km² versus 331,212 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 147.
Military
China spends 57 times as much on defence as Vietnam: $313.66B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 522,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Vietnam?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Vietnam covers 331,212 km², so China is 29 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Vietnam?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 101.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Vietnam?
- Measured by GDP per capita, China is richer: $13,862 against $5,066. Total GDP tells the same story: $19.50T for China versus $514.70B for Vietnam.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Vietnam?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).