Updated
Overview
India has 21 times the population of France: 1.46 billion people against 68.72 million (2025).
India's economy is 18% larger than France's, at $3.96T versus $3.37T.
Per person, France is the wealthier of the two: $48,986 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | France | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $3.37T | 2025 | $3.91T / $3.16T |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $48,986 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 5.0% / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 7.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 77 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $5,024 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $2,036 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 68.72 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 68.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 89% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 643,801 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 106.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 264 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $64.68B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 304,000 | 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 0.8%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 0.9% in France.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 77 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 42.3 years.
Life expectancy is 10.7 years longer in France (83.0 vs 72.2).
France is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in France (89% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 5.1 times the size of France: 3,287,590 km² versus 643,801 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 107.
Military
India spends 33% more on defence than France: $86.13B versus $64.68B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 304,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than France?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while France covers 643,801 km², so India is 5.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or France?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 68.72 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than France?
- Measured by GDP per capita, France is richer: $48,986 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $3.37T for France.
- Who spends more on their military, India or France?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $64.68B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).