Updated
Overview
India has 161 times the population of Switzerland: 1.46 billion people against 9.09 million (2025).
India's economy is 3.8 times the size of Switzerland's, at $3.96T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $1.04T | 2025 | $3.91T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 5.0% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 9.09 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 97% | 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 20,000 | 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 1.3%.
India runs the hotter price environment: 2.4% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 12.2 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 72.2).
Switzerland is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Switzerland (97% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 80 times the size of Switzerland: 3,287,590 km² versus 41,284 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 220.
Military
India spends 13 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $86.13B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, India carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.7%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Switzerland?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so India is 80 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Switzerland?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Switzerland?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).