India vs Nigeria
India leads on 6 of 6 metrics, Nigeria on 0. Here's the full side-by-side breakdown.
India vs Nigeria: the verdict
India is the more populous of the two, home to 1.46 billion people — about 6.2× the population of Nigeria (237.53 million).
On the economy, India has the larger nominal GDP at $3.96T. But measured per person, India comes out ahead on GDP per capita ($2,702), a better proxy for average living standards.
Geographically, India is the larger country, spanning 3,287,590 km².
India records the higher Human Development Index (0.685), reflecting stronger combined outcomes in health, education and income (source: UNDP).
Overall, India leads on more headline metrics in this comparison, though "which country is better" depends entirely on which measures matter to you.
Full breakdown
India
IndiaIndiaGovernment & politics
IndiaIndia
India is a Westminster-style parliamentary democracy with a federal structure. The President is the constitutional head of state, but the office is largely ceremonial — real executive power rests with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, who are drawn from and answerable to the elected Lok Sabha. The PM is usually the leader of the party or coalition that commands a majority in the lower house. States hold significant devolved powers, and an independent judiciary headed by the Supreme Court can strike down laws that violate the constitution.
Nigeria
Nigeria is a federal presidential republic modelled on the United States. The President is both head of state and government, directly elected, and shares power with a bicameral National Assembly and an independent judiciary. Its 36 states hold significant powers, and elections balance ethnic and regional interests across a large, diverse federation.
Travel & practical
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Frequently asked questions
Which country has a higher GDP, India or Nigeria?
India has the higher nominal GDP at $3.96T, compared with $290.79B for Nigeria (World Bank).
Which country has a larger population, India or Nigeria?
India has the larger population with 1,463,865,525 people, versus 237,527,782 for Nigeria.
Which is larger in area, India or Nigeria?
India is larger, covering 3,287,590 km² compared with 923,768 km² for Nigeria.