Updated
Overview
India has 259 times the population of Finland: 1.46 billion people against 5.65 million (2025).
India's economy is 12 times the size of Finland's, at $3.96T versus $317.04B.
Per person, Finland is the wealthier of the two: $56,149 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Finland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $317.04B | 2025 | $3.91T / $299.84B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $56,149 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | 5.0% / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 9.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $5,760 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 5.65 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 5.55 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 75% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 94% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 338,424 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 16.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 30 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $6.99B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 22,000 | 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 0.2%.
India runs the hotter price environment: 2.4% inflation versus 0.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Finland: $5,760 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 10.1 years longer in Finland (82.3 vs 72.2).
Finland is considerably more urbanized: 75% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Finland (94% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 9.7 times the size of Finland: 3,287,590 km² versus 338,424 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 17.
Military
India spends 12 times as much on defence as Finland: $86.13B versus $6.99B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 22,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Finland?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Finland covers 338,424 km², so India is 9.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Finland?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 5.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Finland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Finland is richer: $56,149 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $317.04B for Finland.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Finland?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $6.99B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).