Updated
Overview
India has 40 times the population of Saudi Arabia: 1.46 billion people against 36.97 million (2025).
India's economy is 3.1 times the size of Saudi Arabia's, at $3.96T versus $1.28T.
Per person, Saudi Arabia is the wealthier of the two: $34,537 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Saudi Arabia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $1.28T | 2025 | $3.91T / $1.24T |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $34,537 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 5.0% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $1,799 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $1,067 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $5.06 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 36.97 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 36.54 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 2.29 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 79.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 85% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 100% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 2,149,690 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 692 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 20.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $80.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 7.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 282,000 | 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 4.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 2.1% in Saudi Arabia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Saudi Arabia: $1,799 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 28.8 (India) and 29.6 (Saudi Arabia).
Life expectancy is 6.7 years longer in Saudi Arabia (79.0 vs 72.2).
Saudi Arabia is considerably more urbanized: 85% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Saudi Arabia (100% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 53% larger than Saudi Arabia: 3,287,590 km² versus 2,149,690 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 17.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $86.13B (India) and $80.33B (Saudi Arabia).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 2.3%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 282,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Saudi Arabia?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km², so India is 53% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, India or Saudi Arabia?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 36.97 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Saudi Arabia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Saudi Arabia is richer: $34,537 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $1.28T for Saudi Arabia.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Saudi Arabia?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $80.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).