Updated
Overview
India has 40 times the population of Poland: 1.46 billion people against 36.44 million (2025).
India's economy is 3.8 times the size of Poland's, at $3.96T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Poland is the wealthier of the two: $28,420 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Poland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $1.04T | 2025 | $3.91T / $914.70B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $28,420 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 3.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 3.8% | 2025 | 5.0% / 3.8% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $2,302 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $1,241 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $6.22 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 36.44 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 38.75 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | -0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 42.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.31 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 78.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 60% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 89% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 312,679 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 116.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 273 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 7.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $38.00B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 4.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 189,000 | 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 3.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 3.8% in Poland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 52 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Poland: $2,302 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 42.5 years.
Life expectancy is 6.2 years longer in Poland (78.4 vs 72.2).
Poland is considerably more urbanized: 60% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Poland (89% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 11 times the size of Poland: 3,287,590 km² versus 312,679 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 117.
Military
India spends 2.3 times as much on defence as Poland: $86.13B versus $38.00B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Poland carries the heavier military burden: 4.2% of GDP versus 2.3%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 189,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Poland?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Poland covers 312,679 km², so India is 11 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Poland?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 36.44 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Poland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Poland is richer: $28,420 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $1.04T for Poland.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Poland?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $38.00B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).