Updated
Overview
India has 25 times the population of Italy: 1.46 billion people against 58.92 million (2025).
India's economy is about 55% larger than Italy's, at $3.96T versus $2.55T.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Italy | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $2.55T | 2025 | $3.91T / $2.37T |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $43,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | 5.0% / 1.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 6.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 69 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $3,994 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 58.92 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 60.92 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 48.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 89% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 301,336 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 195.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 302 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 5.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $37.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 338,000 | 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 0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 1.5% in Italy.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 11.7 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 72.2).
Italy is considerably more urbanized: 70% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Italy (89% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 11 times the size of Italy: 3,287,590 km² versus 301,336 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 196.
Military
India spends 2.3 times as much on defence as Italy: $86.13B versus $37.96B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 338,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Italy?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Italy covers 301,336 km², so India is 11 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Italy?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 58.92 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Italy?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $2.55T for Italy.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Italy?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $37.96B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).