Updated
Overview
India has 6.9 times the population of Brazil: 1.46 billion people against 212.81 million (2025).
India's economy is about 75% larger than Brazil's, at $3.96T versus $2.28T.
Per person, Brazil is the wealthier of the two: $10,713 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Brazil | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $2.28T | 2025 | $3.91T / $2.18T |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $10,713 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 2.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 5.0% | 2025 | 5.0% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $607 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $262 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $4.71 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 212.81 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 221.36 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 34.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 76.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 84% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 8,515,767 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 25.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 483 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 2.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $20.95B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 762,000 | 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 2.3%.
Brazil runs the hotter price environment: 5.0% inflation versus 2.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 46 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Brazil: $607 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the younger society: median age 28.8 versus 34.8 years.
Life expectancy is 3.8 years longer in Brazil (76.0 vs 72.2).
Brazil is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Brazil (84% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 61% smaller than Brazil: 3,287,590 km² versus 8,515,767 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 25.
Military
India spends 4.1 times as much on defence as Brazil: $86.13B versus $20.95B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, India carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.0%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 762,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Brazil?
- Brazil is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Brazil covers 8,515,767 km², so Brazil is 2.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Brazil?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 212.81 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Brazil?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Brazil is richer: $10,713 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $2.28T for Brazil.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Brazil?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $20.95B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).