Updated
Overview
India has 145 times the population of Israel: 1.46 billion people against 10.12 million (2025).
India's economy is 6.5 times the size of Israel's, at $3.96T versus $610.78B.
Per person, Israel is the wealthier of the two: $60,337 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Israel | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $610.78B | 2025 | $3.91T / $540.38B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $60,337 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 3.0% | 2025 | 5.0% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 101 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $3,383 | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $1,589 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $7.67 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 10.12 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 9.40 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 29.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 2.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 88% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 20,770 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 487.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 53 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 5.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $46.51B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 8.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 178,000 | 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 2.9%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 3.0% in Israel.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Israel: $3,383 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 28.8 (India) and 29.2 (Israel).
Life expectancy is 11.0 years longer in Israel (83.2 vs 72.2).
Israel is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Israel (88% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 158 times the size of Israel: 3,287,590 km² versus 20,770 km².
Military
India spends about 85% more on defence than Israel: $86.13B versus $46.51B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 2.3%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 178,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Israel?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Israel covers 20,770 km², so India is 158 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Israel?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 10.12 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Israel?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Israel is richer: $60,337 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $610.78B for Israel.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Israel?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $46.51B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).