Updated
Overview
India has 74 times the population of Chile: 1.46 billion people against 19.86 million (2025).
India's economy is 11 times the size of Chile's, at $3.96T versus $357.37B.
Per person, Chile is the wealthier of the two: $17,995 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $357.37B | 2025 | $3.91T / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 4.2% | 2025 | 5.0% / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $1,024 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $530 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 19.86 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 96% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 114,000 | 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 2.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 4.2% in Chile.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 48 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Chile: $1,024 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 36.9 years.
Life expectancy is 9.1 years longer in Chile (81.4 vs 72.2).
Chile is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Chile (96% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 4.3 times the size of Chile: 3,287,590 km² versus 756,102 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 26.
Military
India spends 17 times as much on defence as Chile: $86.13B versus $5.11B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Chile?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so India is 4.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Chile?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Chile is richer: $17,995 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Chile?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $5.11B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).