Updated
Overview
India has 123 times the population of Belgium: 1.46 billion people against 11.94 million (2025).
India's economy is 5.5 times the size of Belgium's, at $3.96T versus $725.47B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $725.47B | 2025 | $3.91T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 2.5% | 2025 | 5.0% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $7,044 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 11.94 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 96% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 24,000 | 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
India is growing much faster: 7.6% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 2.5% in Belgium.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 41.9 years.
Life expectancy is 10.1 years longer in Belgium (82.3 vs 72.2).
Belgium is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Belgium (96% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 108 times the size of Belgium: 3,287,590 km² versus 30,528 km².
Military
India spends 10 times as much on defence as Belgium: $86.13B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, India carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.3%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Belgium?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so India is 108 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Belgium?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Belgium?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).