Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan rank above India in GDP per capita, while Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar and Afghanistan trail behind; Bangladesh remains relatively close
(SDNA) New Delhi: How prosperous is a country when its economic output is measured against the size of its population? While the total size of an economy often attracts attention, GDP per capita offers another perspective by showing the average economic output attributable to each resident.
The World Bank’s available figures for 2024 reveal considerable differences among India and its neighbouring countries. The Maldives leads the group by a significant margin, followed by Sri Lanka and Bhutan. India stands ahead of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar and Afghanistan on this particular indicator.
However, these rankings need to be interpreted carefully. GDP per capita is not the same as an individual’s salary, disposable income or actual wealth. It represents a country’s total economic output divided by its population.
📢 Join SD News Agency and Get Every News Update on Your Mobile!
Stay updated with the latest and important news from India and around the world, including politics, society, business, state and local news, delivered directly to your mobile phone via WhatsApp.
📰 Join the SD News Agency WhatsApp Group by clicking the link below and stay connected with the latest updates.
👉 Click here to join the WhatsApp Group:
Join SD News Agency WhatsApp Group
SD News Agency — News that matters to you.
GDP Per Capita in India and Its Neighbouring Countries
The following comparison uses the 2024 figures provided in the source data, with all amounts expressed in US dollars.
| Country | GDP per capita (2024) |
|---|---|
| Maldives | $13,379.4 |
| Sri Lanka | $4,515.6 |
| Bhutan | $3,831.3 |
| India | $2,694.7 |
| Bangladesh | $2,593.4 |
| Pakistan | $1,478.8 |
| Nepal | $1,447.3 |
| Myanmar | $1,359.1 |
| Afghanistan | $413.8 |
Source: World Bank, 2024 figures as provided. Values are in current US dollars.
How Far Ahead or Behind Are India’s Neighbours?
Maldives: A commanding lead
With GDP per capita of approximately $13,379, the Maldives stands well above India’s $2,695. Its figure is almost five times India’s, making it the clear leader in this comparison.
The country’s economic structure, including tourism-related activities, is relevant when interpreting this result. Nevertheless, the difference does not mean that every Maldivian earns five times as much as every Indian. GDP per capita measures average output, not individual earnings.
Sri Lanka: Significantly above India
Sri Lanka records GDP per capita of approximately $4,516, around 67.6% higher than India’s figure.
This indicates a higher level of economic output per person under the measure used. However, household purchasing power, inflation, employment opportunities and income distribution are also important in assessing the economic conditions experienced by ordinary citizens.
Bhutan: Ahead on the per-person measure
Bhutan’s GDP per capita stands at approximately $3,831, about 42.2% above India’s.
The comparison places Bhutan ahead of India on this indicator, but it does not establish that Bhutan performs better across every measure of economic development. Living costs, public services, employment and access to opportunities must also be considered.
Bangladesh: A narrow gap with India
Bangladesh records GDP per capita of approximately $2,593, compared with India’s $2,695. The Bangladeshi figure is around 3.8% lower.
The relatively small gap makes this one of the closest comparisons in the table. A broader assessment of the two economies would also require examining exports, industrial activity, employment, inflation and real household incomes.
Pakistan: A substantial difference
Pakistan’s GDP per capita is approximately $1,479, around 45.1% below India’s figure.
The difference highlights a gap in average economic output per person. However, this single measure cannot independently explain poverty levels, economic inequality or the quality of life across the two countries.
Nepal: Below India’s level
Nepal records GDP per capita of approximately $1,447, around 46.3% lower than India’s.
Differences in industrial development, employment patterns, population characteristics and the structure of economic activity help provide context for the comparison. The figure alone, however, cannot determine how financially secure individual households are.
Myanmar: Economic challenges reflected in the figures
Myanmar’s GDP per capita stands at approximately $1,359, nearly 49.6% below India’s.
Understanding Myanmar’s economic position requires consideration of factors beyond output per person, including political stability, employment conditions, access to essential services and the broader business environment.
Afghanistan: The lowest figure in this comparison
Afghanistan records GDP per capita of approximately $414, around 84.6% below India’s figure.
This represents the widest gap between India and any country in the comparison. The result should nevertheless be interpreted in the context of Afghanistan’s economic circumstances and the limitations that may affect the availability and comparability of national economic data.
Does Higher GDP Per Capita Mean Richer Citizens?
Not necessarily. GDP per capita is useful for comparing average economic output, but it does not show how income and wealth are distributed among the population.
A country may report relatively high GDP per capita while a substantial share of its population faces financial hardship. Conversely, national averages can conceal differences between urban and rural communities, regions and income groups.
Several other indicators help build a more complete picture:
- Purchasing Power Parity (PPP): Helps compare what people can buy in different countries after accounting for differences in price levels.
- Income distribution: Shows how economic resources are shared across society.
- Poverty rates: Help identify the proportion of people facing economic deprivation.
- Employment and wages: Reveal the availability and quality of earning opportunities.
- Human Development Index (HDI): Combines indicators relating to health, education and income.
- Inflation and living costs: Help explain how far household incomes can stretch.
Together, these indicators provide a more meaningful assessment of living standards than GDP per capita alone.
Why India’s Total GDP and GDP Per Capita Tell Different Stories
India has a large economy in absolute terms, but it also has a very large population. Dividing total economic output among a larger number of people produces a different picture from ranking countries by the size of their overall economies.
This distinction explains why a country with a much smaller total economy can rank above India in GDP per capita. The two indicators answer different questions: total GDP measures the size of economic activity, while GDP per capita measures average output relative to population.
Neither indicator, on its own, captures the full economic experience of citizens.
The Bigger Picture: What the Regional Comparison Reveals
The 2024 figures present a varied economic landscape across India’s neighbourhood. The Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan are ahead of India in GDP per capita, while Bangladesh remains relatively close. Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar and Afghanistan record lower figures.
These differences are useful starting points for understanding regional economic conditions, but they should not be treated as a complete ranking of national success or public welfare.
The key takeaway: Economic progress is about more than the value produced by an economy. It also depends on whether people can access stable employment, affordable healthcare, quality education, adequate housing and opportunities to improve their lives.
A fair comparison of India and its neighbours must therefore look beyond one number and examine how economic growth translates into better living conditions for ordinary citizens.
(SDNA) — National and International Digital News Network