Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 10 times the population of Australia: 285.72 million people against 27.61 million (2025).
Australia's economy is 24% larger than Indonesia's, at $1.80T versus $1.45T.
Per person, Australia is the wealthier of the two: $65,130 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Australia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.45T | Higher: $1.80T | 2025 | $1.40T / $1.75T |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $65,130 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 2.9% | 2025 | 3.7% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.2% | 4.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 90 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $4,436 | 2023 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | Higher: $2,655 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $5.95 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 27.61 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 27.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 38.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 7,692,024 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 3.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 387 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 14.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $33.82B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 60,000 | 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
Indonesia is growing much faster: 5.1% annual GDP growth versus 1.4%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 2.9% in Australia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 90 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Australia: $4,436 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Indonesia is the younger society: median age 30.4 versus 38.3 years.
Life expectancy is 11.8 years longer in Australia (83.1 vs 71.3).
Australia is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in Australia (96% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 75% smaller than Australia: 1,904,569 km² versus 7,692,024 km².
Indonesia is far more densely settled: 150 people per km² against 4.
Military
Australia spends 3.1 times as much on defence as Indonesia: $33.82B versus $11.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Australia carries the heavier military burden: 1.9% of GDP versus 0.8%.
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Australia?
- Australia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Australia covers 7,692,024 km², so Australia is 4.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Australia?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 27.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Australia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $5,060. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $1.80T for Australia.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Australia?
- Australia spends more: $33.82B versus $11.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).