Updated
Overview
India has 10 times the population of Russia: 1.46 billion people against 143.51 million (2025).
India's economy is about 55% larger than Russia's, at $3.96T versus $2.56T.
Per person, Russia is the wealthier of the two: $17,547 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Russia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $2.56T | 2025 | $3.91T / $2.17T |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $17,547 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 8.7% | 2025 | 5.0% / 6.7% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 32 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $777 | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $208 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $1.74 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 143.51 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 140.13 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 73.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 75% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 94% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 17,098,242 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 8.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 1,781 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 12.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $148.97B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 7.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 1.5 million | 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 1.0%.
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 2.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 32 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Russia: $777 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 1.2 years longer in Russia (73.4 vs 72.2).
Russia is considerably more urbanized: 75% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Russia (94% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 81% smaller than Russia: 3,287,590 km² versus 17,098,242 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends about 75% more on defence than India: $148.97B versus $86.13B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 2.3%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 1.5 million (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Russia?
- Russia is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Russia covers 17,098,242 km², so Russia is 5.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Russia?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 143.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Russia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Russia is richer: $17,547 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $2.56T for Russia.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Russia?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $86.13B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).