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Episode 77Stat cards1:02

India vs China, 1980 vs 2026: two very different paths

1980 vs today, on four measures

0:00 / 1:02

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, Apr 2026 (population, GDP; 2026 figures projected); UN World Population Prospects 2024 and World Urbanization Prospects 2025, via World Bank (life expectancy, cities) · 2026

Part of India and China, side by side

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Narration

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Runs 1:02.

How to read this chart: Independent facts pass through one at a time, then land together in a closing recap. They share a theme, not a scale — do not read the second card as bigger than the first. Where a card carries a ring, a from-to bar, a dot strip or a sparkline, the graphic is zero-based and only ever shows that card's own figure; a "vs" card compares just its two halves. More on stat cards charts.

The takeaway

That 5.3× is at market exchange rates; adjusted for prices (PPP), China's lead is about 2.5×.

The data

The numbers

Data behind “India vs China, 1980 vs 2026: two very different paths”
#Figure1980TodayChangeNote
India's population687M1,477M+115%IMF estimates
China's population987M1,402M+42%Today = 2026, projected
Indians in cities23.5%35.7%+51.9%National definitions (UN)
Chinese in cities19.4%66.3%+241.8%Today = 2025
India life expectancy53.6 yrs72.2 yrs+34.7%UN estimates, at birth
China life expectancy64.2 yrs78 yrs+21.5%Today = 2024
India's GDP per person$271$2,813+938%Current US$, market rates
China's GDP per person$308$14,874+4,729.2%2026 = IMF projection

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, Apr 2026 (population, GDP; 2026 figures projected); UN World Population Prospects 2024 and World Urbanization Prospects 2025, via World Bank (life expectancy, cities). Covering 2026.

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Transcript

  1. 5.3 times the GDP per person. In 1980, both earned under 310 dollars a head.

  2. In 1980, India had 687 million people and China 987. Today it is 1,477 million against 1,402. Then, 23.5 percent of Indians lived in cities, and 19.4 percent of Chinese. Now it is 35.7 against 66.3. Life expectancy was 53.6 years and 64.2. Today it is 72.2 and 78. GDP per person was 271 dollars and 308. Today it is 2,813 against 14,874, a gap of 5.3 times. Two very different paths since 1980.

  3. That's today's stat from NumberReels. Can India close that gap by 2050? Like, share and subscribe for more at numberreels.com.

Source & method

  • SourceFigures from IMF World Economic Outlook, Apr 2026 (population, GDP; 2026 figures projected); UN World Population Prospects 2024 and World Urbanization Prospects 2025, via World Bank (life expectancy, cities).
  • PeriodCovering 2026.
  • ChartRendered as a stat cards chart.
  • ElsewhereAlso on YouTube, Instagram and X.
  • ReuseFree to repost with credit. For broadcast, courses or a watermark-free copy, License this clip.
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