China leads in GDP ($17.9T vs $3.9T), industrialization, and infrastructure, while India has a younger population (median age 28 vs 38), faster growth rate (6.2% vs 5.0%), and is projected to surpass China's economy by 2050. China maintains technological superiority but India's demographic dividend offers long-term advantages.
India vs China — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's most populous democracy and 5th largest economy by nominal GDP.
Upper-middle-income developing economy with second-largest nominal GDP but lower per capita income due to massive population
GDP (nominal, 2024). Population. Median Age. Real GDP Growth Rate (2024). Per Capita GDP (2024). Life Expectancy. Literacy Rate
China currently dominates as a global economic and technological superpower with nearly 5x higher GDP and superior infrastructure. However, India's younger population, faster growth trajectory, and expanding digital economy position it for long-term economic leadership. Choose China if evaluating current industrial capacity and technological advancement; choose India if assessing future growth potential and demographic advantages through 2050.
India: $3.7 Trillion | China: $17.7 Trillion
India: $81 Billion | China: $292 Billion
India: 1.44 billion | China: 1.42 billion
India: Services-led, large farm labor share | China: World's factory (services rising)
India: 5th-largest globally | China: Largest — ~29% of global value-added
India: $3.9 trillion | China: $17.9 trillion
India: $85 billion | China: $163 billion
Years to Double GDP at Current Growth Rate
India: $436 billion | China: $1,830 billion
India: 0.644 (Medium) | China: 0.796 (Very High)
India: $85 billion | China: $189 billion
India: $254 billion | China: $78 billion
India: $3.89 trillion | China: $17.9 trillion
India: N/A | China: 35% of global output
India: N/A | China: Limited by export controls
India: N/A | China: $400-800 billion potential loss
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
India: N/A | China: -0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction)
India: N/A | China: One-party communist state
India: N/A | China: 40% (global EV sales)
Government Education Expenditure Per Capita
India: N/A | China: 12% (design & manufacturing)
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2025)
India: N/A | China: 1.2 million base stations
Annual GDP Per Capita Growth (2020-2026)
Industrial robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers
Years to Double Per Capita GDP at Current Growth
India vs China — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for India vs China. Contains 188 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
India vs China — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for India vs China.
Will India's economy ever surpass China's?
According to IMF projections, India's nominal GDP is expected to surpass China's by 2050, driven by faster growth rates (6.2% vs 5.0%) and a younger workforce. However, China's per capita income will likely remain significantly higher due to its advanced economy status. India's PPP (purchasing power parity) GDP already exceeds China's at $14.3T vs $13.8T as of 2024.
Why does China have a higher per capita GDP if India's population is larger?
Per capita GDP is calculated by dividing total GDP by population. China's $17.9T GDP ÷ 1.42B people = $12,700 per person, while India's $3.9T ÷ 1.44B = $2,700 per person. This 4.7x difference reflects China's advanced industrialization, higher wages, and mature infrastructure developed over decades of rapid growth since 1978.
Which country has better infrastructure?
China significantly leads with 45,000 km of high-speed rail, 178,000 km of expressways, and modern urban metro systems. India has 7,500 km of operational high-speed rail capacity (Bullet Train projects in progress) and 6% of roads meeting highway standards. However, India is investing $1.4 trillion in infrastructure (2023-2032) to close this gap.
Is China or India better for manufacturing?
China dominates established manufacturing with 28% of global industrial output, semiconductor leadership, and integrated supply chains. India is emerging as an alternative for labor-intensive sectors like textiles, electronics assembly, and pharmaceuticals due to lower costs and government incentives (Make in India program). Both serve different manufacturing niches.
Which country faces greater economic challenges?
China faces demographic headwinds (aging population, declining workforce) and property sector debt ($1.4 trillion), slowing growth from 9-10% historical rates. India faces poverty (210M below poverty line), inadequate healthcare/water access, and infrastructure deficits, but benefits from younger demographics offsetting structural challenges.
GDP (nominal, 2024): India has $3.9 trillion, while China has $17.9 trillion.
Population: India has 1.44 billion, while China has 1.42 billion.
Median Age: India has 28 years, while China has 38 years.
Real GDP Growth Rate (2024): India has 6.2%, while China has 5.0%.
Per Capita GDP (2024): India has $2,700, while China has $12,700.
Life Expectancy: India has 71.8 years, while China has 77.5 years.
Literacy Rate: India has 74%, while China has 97%.