Updated
Overview
India has 1,837 times the population of Bhutan: 1.46 billion people against 796,682 (2025).
India's economy is 1,105 times the size of Bhutan's, at $3.96T versus $3.58B.
Per person, Bhutan is the wealthier of the two: $4,493 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Bhutan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $3.58B | 2025 | $3.91T / $3.02B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $4,493 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 7.6% | Higher: 8.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 3.6% | 2025 | 5.0% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 3.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 23 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $322 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $55 | $45 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 796,682 | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 892,877 |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 30.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 73.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 43% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 91% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 38,394 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 20.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 1.66 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 2.2 t | Lower: 2.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 6,000 | 2020 / 2000 | — / — |
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 (7.6% for India, 8.0% for Bhutan).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 3.6% in Bhutan.
Average monthly earnings favour Bhutan: $322 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 28.8 (India) and 30.5 (Bhutan).
Life expectancy is 1.0 years longer in Bhutan (73.3 vs 72.2).
Internet adoption is higher in Bhutan (91% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 86 times the size of Bhutan: 3,287,590 km² versus 38,394 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 21.
Military
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 6,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Bhutan?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Bhutan covers 38,394 km², so India is 86 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Bhutan?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 796,682 (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Bhutan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Bhutan is richer: $4,493 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $3.58B for Bhutan.