Updated
Overview
India has 28 times the population of South Korea: 1.46 billion people against 51.68 million (2025).
India's economy is 2.1 times the size of South Korea's, at $3.96T versus $1.87T.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $1.87T | 2025 | $3.91T / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 5.0% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $3,168 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $1,511 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 51.68 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 98% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 569,000 | 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 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 2.1% in South Korea.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 11.4 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 72.2).
South Korea is considerably more urbanized: 81% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in South Korea (98% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 33 times the size of South Korea: 3,287,590 km² versus 100,210 km².
Military
India spends about 80% more on defence than South Korea: $86.13B versus $47.57B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 569,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than South Korea?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so India is 33 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or South Korea?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, India or South Korea?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $47.57B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).