Which country is more populous?

India surpassed China in 2023 to become the world's most populous country with approximately 1.44 billion people.

India vs China

Updated March 19, 2026

India

World's most populous democracy, fastest-growing major economy

Long-term growth potential

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China

World's second-largest economy with 1.4B people, rapid industrialization, and 70% global EV production dominance.

Current economic scale

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Short Answer

India has overtaken China as the world's most populous country with 1.44B people. China has a much larger economy ($17.7T vs $3.7T) but India has faster GDP growth and a younger population.

Our Verdict

China is far ahead economically but India's demographics and growth rate give it strong long-term potential.

India6.7

8.3China

Choose India if

Long-term growth potential

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Key Differences at a Glance

👥

Population: India wins (1.44B vs 1.4B)

💵

GDP: China wins ($17.7T vs $3.7T)

💵

GDP Growth Rate: India wins (6.5% vs 4.5%)

See all 4 differences

Key Facts & Figures

Metric	India	China	Diff
Population(millions)	1.44 Billion	1,425 million	+1%
GDP(USD)	$3.7 Trillion	$17.7 Trillion	-79%
Median Age(Years)	28.4	39.0	-27%

Key Differences

India

Attribute

China

1.44B🏆

Population

1.4B

$3.7T

GDP

$17.7T🏆

6.5%🏆

GDP Growth Rate

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Last updated: March 19, 2026Human reviewed

Full Comparison

Attribute	India	China

Population(millions)	1.44 Billion	1,425 million

GDP(USD)	$3.7 Trillion	$17.7 Trillion
Total GDP(USD Trillions)	$20.6 trillion	—
GDP (Nominal)(USD trillion)	$17.9 trillion	—
Foreign Exchange Reserves(USD Billion)	$3,300 billion	—

Median Age(Years)	28.4	39.0
Population (Approximate 2024)(billion)	1.4 billion	—
Total Population(billions)	1.4 billion	—

Military Budget(USD)	$81 Billion	$292 Billion
Nuclear Warheads	~160	—
Main Battle Tanks(count)	5,800	—

Life Expectancy(years)	78.2	—

Total GDP (2026 Projection)(Trillion USD)	$33-34 trillion	—

GDP Growth Rate(% annual)	4.6-4.8%	—

Per Capita GDP(USD)	$~12,000-13,000	—
GDP Per Capita(USD)	$12,500	—

Global Manufacturing Output(%)	35% of global output	—

Advanced Semiconductor Market Share(%)	Limited by export controls	—

Solar Panel Global Production(%)	80%+	—

Tariff/Trade War Vulnerability(Billion USD Risk)	$400-800 billion potential loss	—

Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent)	4.6-4.8%	—
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)	4.6-4.8%	—

Global EV Production Share(%)	70%	—

Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%)	80%+	—

LFP Battery Global Production Share(%)	94%	—

Potential Tariff Impact on Growth(% points reduction)	-0.5 to -2.0%	—

AI Adoption Growth Contribution 2026(% points to GDP)	0.2-0.3%	—
Electric Vehicles Market Share(percent)	40% (global EV sales)	—

Global EV Production Market Share(percent)	70%	—

Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%)	94%	—

Global Manufacturing Output Share(%)	35%	—

Potential Tariff-Related GDP Impact(% or USD billion)	-0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction)	—

Active Military Personnel(Million)	2,300 thousand	—

Semiconductor Market Share(%)	15% (all types)	—

Government Type	One-party communist state	—

Internet Freedom Score(rank (lower better))	88 (not free)	—

R&D Spending(percent of GDP)	2.4%	—

Human Development Index(score 0-1)	0.796 (high)	—

GDP Per Capita (2026 Projection)(USD)	$13,738	—
Nominal GDP (2024)(trillion USD)	$20.7 trillion	—

Government Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD)	$467 (2023)	—
Total Government Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)	$6,177.1 billion	—
Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)	$296.5 billion	—

Government Budget Deficit (2024)(billion USD)	$1,272.4 billion	—

Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)	$17.9	—

Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)	€296.5 billion	—

Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)	€467	—

Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)	$620,062.8M	—

Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)	1.03%	—

India

China

Population(millions)

1.44 Billion

1,425 million

GDP(USD)

$3.7 Trillion

$17.7 Trillion

Total GDP(USD Trillions)

$20.6 trillion

—

GDP (Nominal)(USD trillion)

$17.9 trillion

—

Foreign Exchange Reserves(USD Billion)

$3,300 billion

—

Median Age(Years)

28.4

39.0

Population (Approximate 2024)(billion)

1.4 billion

—

Total Population(billions)

1.4 billion

—

Military Budget(USD)

$81 Billion

$292 Billion

Nuclear Warheads

~160

—

Main Battle Tanks(count)

5,800

—

Life Expectancy(years)

78.2

—

Total GDP (2026 Projection)(Trillion USD)

$33-34 trillion

—

GDP Growth Rate(% annual)

4.6-4.8%

—

Per Capita GDP(USD)

$~12,000-13,000

—

GDP Per Capita(USD)

$12,500

—

Global Manufacturing Output(%)

35% of global output

—

Advanced Semiconductor Market Share(%)

Limited by export controls

—

Solar Panel Global Production(%)

80%+

—

Tariff/Trade War Vulnerability(Billion USD Risk)

$400-800 billion potential loss

—

Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent)

4.6-4.8%

—

Annual GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)

4.6-4.8%

—

Global EV Production Share(%)

70%

—

Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%)

80%+

—

LFP Battery Global Production Share(%)

94%

—

Potential Tariff Impact on Growth(% points reduction)

-0.5 to -2.0%

—

AI Adoption Growth Contribution 2026(% points to GDP)

0.2-0.3%

—

Electric Vehicles Market Share(percent)

40% (global EV sales)

—

Global EV Production Market Share(percent)

70%

—

Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%)

94%

—

Global Manufacturing Output Share(%)

35%

—

Potential Tariff-Related GDP Impact(% or USD billion)

-0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction)

—

Active Military Personnel(Million)

2,300 thousand

—

Semiconductor Market Share(%)

15% (all types)

—

Government Type

One-party communist state

—

Internet Freedom Score(rank (lower better))

88 (not free)

—

R&D Spending(percent of GDP)

2.4%

—

Human Development Index(score 0-1)

0.796 (high)

—

GDP Per Capita (2026 Projection)(USD)

$13,738

—

Nominal GDP (2024)(trillion USD)

$20.7 trillion

—

Government Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD)

$467 (2023)

—

Total Government Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)

$6,177.1 billion

—

Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)

$296.5 billion

—

Government Budget Deficit (2024)(billion USD)

$1,272.4 billion

—

Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)

$17.9

—

Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)

€296.5 billion

—

Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)

€467

—

Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)

$620,062.8M

—

Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)

1.03%

—

Full Comparison

Attribute	India	China

Population(millions)	1.44 Billion	1,425 million

GDP(USD)	$3.7 Trillion	$17.7 Trillion
Total GDP(USD Trillions)	$20.6 trillion	—
GDP (Nominal)(USD trillion)	$17.9 trillion	—
Foreign Exchange Reserves(USD Billion)	$3,300 billion	—

Median Age(Years)	28.4	39.0
Population (Approximate 2024)(billion)	1.4 billion	—
Total Population(billions)	1.4 billion	—

Military Budget(USD)	$81 Billion	$292 Billion
Nuclear Warheads	~160	—
Main Battle Tanks(count)	5,800	—

Life Expectancy(years)	78.2	—

Total GDP (2026 Projection)(Trillion USD)	$33-34 trillion	—

GDP Growth Rate(% annual)	4.6-4.8%	—

Per Capita GDP(USD)	$~12,000-13,000	—
GDP Per Capita(USD)	$12,500	—

Global Manufacturing Output(%)	35% of global output	—

Advanced Semiconductor Market Share(%)	Limited by export controls	—

Solar Panel Global Production(%)	80%+	—

Tariff/Trade War Vulnerability(Billion USD Risk)	$400-800 billion potential loss	—

Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent)	4.6-4.8%	—
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)	4.6-4.8%	—

Global EV Production Share(%)	70%	—

Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%)	80%+	—

LFP Battery Global Production Share(%)	94%	—

Potential Tariff Impact on Growth(% points reduction)	-0.5 to -2.0%	—

AI Adoption Growth Contribution 2026(% points to GDP)	0.2-0.3%	—
Electric Vehicles Market Share(percent)	40% (global EV sales)	—

Global EV Production Market Share(percent)	70%	—

Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%)	94%	—

Global Manufacturing Output Share(%)	35%	—

Potential Tariff-Related GDP Impact(% or USD billion)	-0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction)	—

Active Military Personnel(Million)	2,300 thousand	—

Semiconductor Market Share(%)	15% (all types)	—

Government Type	One-party communist state	—

Internet Freedom Score(rank (lower better))	88 (not free)	—

R&D Spending(percent of GDP)	2.4%	—

Human Development Index(score 0-1)	0.796 (high)	—

GDP Per Capita (2026 Projection)(USD)	$13,738	—
Nominal GDP (2024)(trillion USD)	$20.7 trillion	—

Government Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD)	$467 (2023)	—
Total Government Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)	$6,177.1 billion	—
Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)	$296.5 billion	—

Government Budget Deficit (2024)(billion USD)	$1,272.4 billion	—

Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)	$17.9	—

Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)	€296.5 billion	—

Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)	€467	—

Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)	$620,062.8M	—

Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)	1.03%	—

India

China

Population(millions)

1.44 Billion

1,425 million

GDP(USD)

$3.7 Trillion

$17.7 Trillion

Total GDP(USD Trillions)

$20.6 trillion

—

GDP (Nominal)(USD trillion)

$17.9 trillion

—

Foreign Exchange Reserves(USD Billion)

$3,300 billion

—

Median Age(Years)

28.4

39.0

Population (Approximate 2024)(billion)

1.4 billion

—

Total Population(billions)

1.4 billion

—

Military Budget(USD)

$81 Billion

$292 Billion

Nuclear Warheads

~160

—

Main Battle Tanks(count)

5,800

—

Life Expectancy(years)

78.2

—

Total GDP (2026 Projection)(Trillion USD)

$33-34 trillion

—

GDP Growth Rate(% annual)

4.6-4.8%

—

Per Capita GDP(USD)

$~12,000-13,000

—

GDP Per Capita(USD)

$12,500

—

Global Manufacturing Output(%)

35% of global output

—

Advanced Semiconductor Market Share(%)

Limited by export controls

—

Solar Panel Global Production(%)

80%+

—

Tariff/Trade War Vulnerability(Billion USD Risk)

$400-800 billion potential loss

—

Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent)

4.6-4.8%

—

Annual GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)

4.6-4.8%

—

Global EV Production Share(%)

70%

—

Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%)

80%+

—

LFP Battery Global Production Share(%)

94%

—

Potential Tariff Impact on Growth(% points reduction)

-0.5 to -2.0%

—

AI Adoption Growth Contribution 2026(% points to GDP)

0.2-0.3%

—

Electric Vehicles Market Share(percent)

40% (global EV sales)

—

Global EV Production Market Share(percent)

70%

—

Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%)

94%

—

Global Manufacturing Output Share(%)

35%

—

Potential Tariff-Related GDP Impact(% or USD billion)

-0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction)

—

Active Military Personnel(Million)

2,300 thousand

—

Semiconductor Market Share(%)

15% (all types)

—

Government Type

One-party communist state

—

Internet Freedom Score(rank (lower better))

88 (not free)

—

R&D Spending(percent of GDP)

2.4%

—

Human Development Index(score 0-1)

0.796 (high)

—

GDP Per Capita (2026 Projection)(USD)

$13,738

—

Nominal GDP (2024)(trillion USD)

$20.7 trillion

—

Government Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD)

$467 (2023)

—

Total Government Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)

$6,177.1 billion

—

Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)

$296.5 billion

—

Government Budget Deficit (2024)(billion USD)

$1,272.4 billion

—

Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)

$17.9

—

Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)

€296.5 billion

—

Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)

€467

—

Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)

$620,062.8M

—

Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)

1.03%

—

India vs China

India

China

Short Answer

Our Verdict

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Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

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Pros & Cons

India

Pros

Cons

China

Pros

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Full Comparison

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India vs China

India

China

Short Answer

Our Verdict

🔔Track this comparison

Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

Related Comparisons

Explore Entities

More Countries

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Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Pros & Cons

India

Pros

Cons

China

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Learn More

Wikipedia

Videos

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

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