Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 34% more people than Brazil: 285.72 million against 212.81 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is about 60% larger than Indonesia's, at $2.28T versus $1.45T.
Per person, Brazil is the wealthier of the two: $10,713 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Brazil | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.45T | Higher: $2.28T | 2025 | $1.40T / $2.18T |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $10,713 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 2.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 5.0% | 2025 | 3.7% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.2% | 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $607 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $320 | $262 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $4.71 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 212.81 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 221.36 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 34.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 76.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 84% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 8,515,767 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 25.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 483 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 2.9 t | Lower: 2.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $20.95B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 762,000 | 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 faster: 5.1% annual GDP growth versus 2.3%.
Brazil runs the hotter price environment: 5.0% inflation versus 1.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 46 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Brazil: $607 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Indonesia is the younger society: median age 30.4 versus 34.8 years.
Life expectancy is 4.7 years longer in Brazil (76.0 vs 71.3).
Brazil is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in Brazil (84% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 78% smaller than Brazil: 1,904,569 km² versus 8,515,767 km².
Indonesia is far more densely settled: 150 people per km² against 25.
Military
Brazil spends about 90% more on defence than Indonesia: $20.95B versus $11.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 676,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Brazil?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Brazil covers 8,515,767 km², so Brazil is 4.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Brazil?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 212.81 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Brazil?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Brazil is richer: $10,713 against $5,060. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $2.28T for Brazil.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Brazil?
- Brazil spends more: $20.95B versus $11.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).