Comparing China and India by Economy

China and India are two of the world's major emerging economies. As of 2026, China and India are the 2nd and 6th largest economies in the world, respectively, on a nominal basis. On a PPP basis, China ranks 1st and India 3rd. Together, the two countries account for 19.8% of global GDP in nominal terms and 28.37% in PPP terms. Among Asian economies, China and India together account for 55.6% of Asia's GDP in nominal terms and 57.1% in PPP terms.

In 1987, the nominal GDP of China and India was almost equal. Even on a PPP basis, China was only slightly ahead of India in 1990. By 2026, however, China's GDP of $20,852 billion is almost five times that of India's, at $4,153 billion. On a PPP basis, China's GDP of Int. $44,295 billion is 2.34 times India's Int. $18,902 billion. China crossed the $1 trillion GDP mark in 1998, while India reached the milestone nine years later, in 2007, on an exchange-rate basis.

Both countries remained relatively close in terms of GDP per capita until 1991. In 1990, India had a higher GDP per capita than China under both nominal and PPP measures. By 2026, however, China's GDP per capita of $14,874 is 5.29 times India's $2,813 in nominal terms and 2.47 times higher on a PPP basis. China ranks 77th and India 153rd globally by nominal GDP per capita. On a PPP basis, China ranks 78th, while India ranks 127th.

China GDP growth reached a maximum of 19.30% in 1970 and a minimum of -27.27% in 1961. India, meanwhile, recorded an all-time high GDP growth rate of 9.69% in 2021 and a record low of -5.78% in 2020. From 1961 to 2025, China's GDP growth rate exceeded 10% in 22 years, while India's never exceeded 10%. Both countries experienced negative GDP growth in five years during this period.