Updated
Overview
India has 5.7 times the population of Pakistan: 1.46 billion people against 255.22 million (2025).
India's economy is 9.7 times the size of Pakistan's, at $3.96T versus $407.31B.
Per person, India is the wealthier of the two: $2,702 against $1,596 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Pakistan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $407.31B | 2025 | $3.91T / $373.07B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $2,702 | $1,596 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 3.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 3.5% | 2025 | 5.0% / 12.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 5.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 24 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $255 | $95 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $133 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $3.89 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 255.22 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 257.05 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 20.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 3.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 72.2 yrs | 67.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 40% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 70% | 57% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 881,912 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 289.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 180 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 2.2 t | Lower: 0.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $10.17B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 943,000 | 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 3.7%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 3.5% in Pakistan.
Average monthly earnings favour India: $255 against $95 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Pakistan is the far younger society: median age 20.6 versus 28.8 years.
Life expectancy is 4.4 years longer in India (72.2 vs 67.8).
Internet adoption is higher in India (70% vs 57% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 3.7 times the size of Pakistan: 3,287,590 km² versus 881,912 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
India spends 8.5 times as much on defence as Pakistan: $86.13B versus $10.17B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 943,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Pakistan?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Pakistan covers 881,912 km², so India is 3.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Pakistan?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 255.22 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Pakistan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, India is richer: $2,702 against $1,596. Total GDP tells the same story: $3.96T for India versus $407.31B for Pakistan.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Pakistan?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $10.17B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).