China vs India
Side-by-side economic and demographic comparison · 2026 data · Source: IMF & World Bank
China and India — the world's two most populous nations — offer a fascinating economic comparison. China's economy is roughly five times larger than India's in nominal terms, reflecting China's 20-year head start in economic reform (1978 vs 1991) and its more aggressive industrialization strategy. China's GDP per capita is about five times India's. However, India's growth rate now exceeds China's, and its younger demographic profile suggests stronger long-term growth potential. China faces the "middle-income trap" risk with an aging population, while India's demographic dividend is just beginning.
China has a GDP of $20.65T compared to India's $4.51T, making it 4.6x larger. China's population is 1.41B vs India's 1.45B. Across 12 key indicators, India leads in 7 categories. All data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook and World Bank World Development Indicators.
| Indicator |  China |  India |
|---|---|---|
| GDP (USD) | $20.65T✓ | $4.51T |
| GDP per Capita | $14,730✓ | $3,051 |
| GDP Growth (%) | 4.2% | 6.2%✓ |
| GDP per Capita (PPP) | $31,023✓ | $12,964 |
| Population | 1.41B | 1.45B✓ |
| Life Expectancy | 78.0 years✓ | 72.0 years |
| Inflation (%) | 0.7%✓ | 4.0% |
| Unemployment (%) | 5.1% | 4.9%✓ |
| Govt Debt (% GDP) | 102.3% | 80.8%✓ |
| Fertility Rate | 1 | 2✓ |
| Gini Index | 36 | 25.5✓ |
| CO₂ per Capita (t) | 9.3 | 2.2✓ |
Summary
China has a GDP of $20.65T compared to India's $4.51T, making the former economy 4.6x larger. In terms of population, China has 1.41B people while India has 1.45B. Across the 12 indicators compared, China leads in 5 and India leads in 7.