Updated
Overview
India and China are nearly matched in population: 1.46 billion versus 1.41 billion people (2025).
China's economy is 4.9 times the size of India's, at $19.50T versus $3.96T.
Per person, China is the wealthier of the two: $13,862 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | China | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $3.96T | Higher: $19.50T | 2025 | $3.91T / $18.74T |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $13,862 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 5.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 0.1% | 2025 | 5.0% / 0.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $807 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $268 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $3.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 1.41 billion | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 1.41 billion |
| Population growth | 0.9% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 40.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.02 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 66% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 9,596,960 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 146.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 3,193 Mt | 12,289 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 8.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $313.66B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 2.5 million | 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 faster: 7.6% annual GDP growth versus 5.0%.
India runs the hotter price environment: 2.4% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour China: $807 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 5.8 years longer in China (78.0 vs 72.2).
China is considerably more urbanized: 66% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in China (92% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 66% smaller than China: 3,287,590 km² versus 9,596,960 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 147.
Military
China spends 3.6 times as much on defence as India: $313.66B versus $86.13B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 2.5 million (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than China?
- China is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while China covers 9,596,960 km², so China is 2.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or China?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 1.41 billion (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than China?
- Measured by GDP per capita, China is richer: $13,862 against $2,702. Total GDP tells the same story: $3.96T for India versus $19.50T for China.
- Who spends more on their military, India or China?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $86.13B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).