Updated
Overview
India has 267 times the population of Ireland: 1.46 billion people against 5.48 million (2025).
India's economy is 5.5 times the size of Ireland's, at $3.96T versus $721.70B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $721.70B | 2025 | $3.91T / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 7.6% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | 5.0% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $5,697 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $2,579 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 5.48 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 97% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 7.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 2.2% in Ireland.
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 Ireland: $5,697 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 39.0 years.
Life expectancy is 10.8 years longer in Ireland (83.0 vs 72.2).
Ireland is considerably more urbanized: 65% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Ireland (97% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 47 times the size of Ireland: 3,287,590 km² versus 70,273 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 78.
Military
India spends 65 times as much on defence as Ireland: $86.13B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, India carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.2%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Ireland?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so India is 47 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Ireland?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Ireland?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).