Updated
Overview
India has 20 times the population of Thailand: 1.46 billion people against 71.62 million (2025).
India's economy is 6.9 times the size of Thailand's, at $3.96T versus $577.01B.
Per person, Thailand is the wealthier of the two: $8,057 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Thailand | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $577.01B | 2025 | $3.91T / $526.41B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $8,057 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 2.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: -0.1% | 2025 | 5.0% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 31 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $508 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $254 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $4.02 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 71.62 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 70.03 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 40.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 76.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 63% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 91% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 513,120 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 139.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 268 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $5.52B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 455,000 | 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 2.4%.
India runs the hotter price environment: 2.4% inflation versus -0.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour Thailand: $508 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 40.6 years.
Life expectancy is 4.3 years longer in Thailand (76.6 vs 72.2).
Thailand is considerably more urbanized: 63% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Thailand (91% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 6.4 times the size of Thailand: 3,287,590 km² versus 513,120 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 140.
Military
India spends 16 times as much on defence as Thailand: $86.13B versus $5.52B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, India carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.1%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 455,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Thailand?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Thailand covers 513,120 km², so India is 6.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Thailand?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 71.62 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Thailand?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Thailand is richer: $8,057 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $577.01B for Thailand.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Thailand?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $5.52B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).