Updated
Overview
India has 35 times the population of Canada: 1.46 billion people against 41.65 million (2025).
India's economy is about 70% larger than Canada's, at $3.96T versus $2.32T.
Per person, Canada is the wealthier of the two: $55,698 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Canada | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $2.32T | 2025 | $3.91T / $2.24T |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $55,698 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 1.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 5.0% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 6.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 83 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $4,121 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $2,106 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $5.81 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 41.65 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 39.19 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 40.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 82.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 83% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 94% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 9,984,670 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 4.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 533 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 13.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $29.35B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 72,000 | 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 1.7%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 2.1% in Canada.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 83 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Canada: $4,121 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 40.6 years.
Life expectancy is 9.9 years longer in Canada (82.1 vs 72.2).
Canada is considerably more urbanized: 83% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Canada (94% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 67% smaller than Canada: 3,287,590 km² versus 9,984,670 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 4.
Military
India spends 2.9 times as much on defence as Canada: $86.13B versus $29.35B (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 72,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Canada?
- Canada is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Canada covers 9,984,670 km², so Canada is 3.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Canada?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 41.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Canada?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Canada is richer: $55,698 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $2.32T for Canada.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Canada?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $29.35B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).