China vs India
Population, economy and geography side by side
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India has 73.1 million more people than China (1.48 billion vs 1.40 billion in 2026). China is 3.2 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in China ($13,862 vs $2,702). People live longer on average in China (78.0 vs 72.2 years).
| China | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 1,403,496,576 | 1,476,625,576 |
| Yearly population change | −0.22% | +0.87% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 1.24 billion | 1.68 billion |
| Land area | 9,388,210 km² | 2,973,190 km² |
| Density | 149/km² | 497/km² |
| GDP | $19.50 trillion (2025) | $3.96 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 (2025) | $2,702 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 years | 72.2 years |
| Births per woman | 1.01 | 1.96 |
| Urban population | 66% | 36% |
| Capital | Beijing | New Delhi |
| Currency | renminbi (CNY) | Indian rupee (INR) |
| Calling code | +86 | +91 |
Share of world population: China 16.94%, India 17.82%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, China or India?
India: about 1.48 billion people versus 1.40 billion in China (2026).
Is China bigger than India?
By land area, China is larger: 9,388,210 km² versus 2,973,190 km².
Which economy is bigger, China or India?
China, with a GDP of $19.50 trillion versus $3.96 trillion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).