Updated
Overview
China has 4.9 times the population of Indonesia: 1.41 billion people against 285.72 million (2025).
China's economy is 13 times the size of Indonesia's, at $19.50T versus $1.45T.
Per person, China is the wealthier of the two: $13,862 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Indonesia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $1.45T | 2025 | $18.74T / $1.40T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,862 | $5,060 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 5.0% | Higher: 5.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 1.9% | 2025 | 0.2% / 3.7% |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | Lower: 3.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 29 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $807 | $182 | 2022 / 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | Higher: $320 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $2.38 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 285.72 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 283.59 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 30.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 2.10 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 71.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 59% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 73% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 1,904,569 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 150.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 812 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 2.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $11.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 0.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 676,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (5.0% for China, 5.1% for Indonesia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.1% in China and 1.9% in Indonesia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour China: $807 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Indonesia is the far younger society: median age 30.4 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 6.7 years longer in China (78.0 vs 71.3).
Internet adoption is higher in China (92% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, China is 5.0 times the size of Indonesia: 9,596,960 km² versus 1,904,569 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
China spends 28 times as much on defence as Indonesia: $313.66B versus $11.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, China carries the heavier military burden: 1.7% of GDP versus 0.8%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 676,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Indonesia?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km², so China is 5.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Indonesia?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 285.72 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Indonesia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, China is richer: $13,862 against $5,060. Total GDP tells the same story: $19.50T for China versus $1.45T for Indonesia.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Indonesia?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $11.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).