Updated
Overview
India has 49 times the population of Nepal: 1.46 billion people against 29.62 million (2025).
India's economy is 87 times the size of Nepal's, at $3.96T versus $45.49B.
Per person, India is the wealthier of the two: $2,702 against $1,536 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Nepal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $45.49B | 2025 | $3.91T / $42.91B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $2,702 | $1,536 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 2.7% | 2025 | 5.0% / 7.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 10.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 24 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $129 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 29.62 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 31.33 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 25.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.94 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 72.2 yrs | 70.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 67% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 70% | 46% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 147,181 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 201.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 19 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 2.2 t | Lower: 0.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $426.52M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 112,000 | 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 4.4%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 2.7% in Nepal.
People and society
Nepal is the younger society: median age 25.3 versus 28.8 years.
Life expectancy is 1.6 years longer in India (72.2 vs 70.6).
Nepal is considerably more urbanized: 67% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in India (70% vs 46% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 22 times the size of Nepal: 3,287,590 km² versus 147,181 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 201.
Military
India spends 202 times as much on defence as Nepal: $86.13B versus $426.52M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, India carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.0%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 112,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Nepal?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Nepal covers 147,181 km², so India is 22 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Nepal?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 29.62 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Nepal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, India is richer: $2,702 against $1,536. Total GDP tells the same story: $3.96T for India versus $45.49B for Nepal.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Nepal?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $426.52M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).