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Bhutan vs India

Bhutan has a population of 784K, compared to India's 1.42B. India is 1807.9 times more populous than Bhutan. India covers 3,287,263 km², 85.6 times larger than Bhutan's 38,394 km². Life expectancy in Bhutan stands at 73.0 years, 1.0 years higher than India's 72.0 years.

Metric
Flag of BhutanBhutan
Flag of IndiaIndia
Population
-99.9%784K
+180692.6%1.42B
Area
-98.8%38,394 km²
+8461.9%3,287,263 km²
GDP
$3.91T
GDP Per Capita
$2,694.738
Life Expectancy
+1.3%73.0 yrs
-1.3%72.0 yrs
Infant Mortality
-24.5%18.5
+32.4%24.5
Literacy Rate
Unemployment
-23.5%3.2%
+30.7%4.2%
Capital
Thimphu
New Delhi
Region
Asia
Asia
Languages
Dzongkha
English, Hindi, Tamil
Currencies
BTN (Nu.), INR (₹)
INR (₹)

Last updated: March 2026

All data sourced from World Bank Open Data (2025) and REST Countries API. Economic data may reflect most recent available year.

Population Comparison

India is 1807.9 times more populous than Bhutan, with 1.42B residents compared to 784K. Bhutan is a nation of 784K people, while India is one of fewer than three countries with a population exceeding 1 billion. In terms of population density, Bhutan averages 20 people per km² (sparse), while India averages 431 people per km² (dense). Population growth rate data is not available for either country over the past decade.

Economy Comparison

Bhutan is classified as a low-income economy, while India is classified as a lower-middle-income economy. India's GDP stands at $3.91T. GDP data is not available for Bhutan. Economic indicator data is not available for Bhutan. India's GDP per capita of $2,694.738 is 76% below the regional average of 11,200 for Asia.

Health & Quality of Life

Life expectancy in Bhutan is 73.0 years, compared to 72.0 years in India, a gap of 1.0 years. Bhutan (73.0 years) is 1.0 years above the global average of 72 years, while India (72.0 years) is at the global average of 72 years. At 24.5 deaths per 1,000 live births, India's infant mortality is 32% higher than Bhutan's 18.5.

Geographic Comparison

India (3,287,263 km²) is 85.6 times larger by land area than Bhutan (38,394 km²). Bhutan shares borders with 2 countries, while India borders 6 countries. Bhutan spans 1 timezone, compared to India's 1 timezone. Both Bhutan and India are located in Asia. Both countries fall within the Asia region, though they occupy different subregions: Southern Asia and Southern Asia.

Key Differences

The most significant difference between Bhutan and India is in population: Bhutan's 784K compared to India's 1.42B represents a 100% gap. The most significant difference between Bhutan and India is in land area: Bhutan's 38,394 km² compared to India's 3,287,263 km² represents a 99% gap. The most significant difference between Bhutan and India is in infant mortality: Bhutan's 18.5 per 1,000 compared to India's 24.5 per 1,000 represents a 24% gap. These disparities reflect the broader structural differences between Bhutan's low-income economy and India's lower-middle-income economy.

At a Glance: What the Numbers Mean

Population Density

India is 21.1x more densely populated than Bhutan (431 vs 20 people per km²). Higher density typically correlates with more urbanization, greater demand for public transit, and higher housing costs. Bhutan's lower density suggests more rural land use and potentially lower urban congestion.

Healthcare and Longevity

Citizens of Bhutan live an average of 1.0 years longer than those of India (73.0 vs 72.0 years). This gap reflects differences in healthcare access, nutrition, public health infrastructure, and environmental factors. This is a moderate difference that could narrow with continued development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is bigger, Bhutan or India by population?

India is larger by population, with 1.42B residents compared to Bhutan's 784K. India is 1807.9 times more populous than Bhutan.

Which country has a higher GDP, Bhutan or India?

GDP data is not available for Bhutan. Please refer to the World Bank for the most current figures.

How does life expectancy compare between Bhutan and India?

Bhutan has a higher life expectancy at 73.0 years, compared to India's 72.0 years. The gap between the two countries is 1.0 years. Bhutan's life expectancy is 1.0 years above the global average of 72 years, while India's is at the global average of 72 years.

Which country is larger by area, Bhutan or India?

India is larger by land area, covering 3,287,263 km² compared to Bhutan's 38,394 km². India is 85.6 times larger than Bhutan.

What languages are spoken in Bhutan and India?

Bhutan recognizes the following official language: Dzongkha. India recognizes: English, Hindi, Tamil. The two countries do not share an official language.

Which country has lower inflation, Bhutan or India?

Bhutan has lower inflation at 2.8%, compared to India's 5.0%. Bhutan's inflation is within the 2-3% range considered stable by most central banks, while India's rate is moderately elevated above the global median of 3.5%.