Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 5.3 times the population of Colombia: 285.72 million people against 53.43 million (2025).
Indonesia's economy is 3.2 times the size of Colombia's, at $1.45T versus $457.41B.
Per person, Colombia is the wealthier of the two: $8,562 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Colombia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.45T | $457.41B | 2025 | $1.40T / $418.54B |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $8,562 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 2.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 5.1% | 2025 | 3.7% / 6.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.2% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 38 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $499 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $320 | $319 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $8.00 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 53.43 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 49.84 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 32.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 79% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 1,141,748 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 46.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 93 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 2.9 t | Lower: 1.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $15.10B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 3.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 428,000 | 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 2.6%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 1.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 38 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Colombia: $499 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Indonesia is the younger society: median age 30.4 versus 32.5 years.
Life expectancy is 6.6 years longer in Colombia (77.9 vs 71.3).
Colombia is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 67% larger than Colombia: 1,904,569 km² versus 1,141,748 km².
Indonesia is far more densely settled: 150 people per km² against 47.
Military
Colombia spends about 35% more on defence than Indonesia: $15.10B versus $11.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 0.8%.
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 428,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Colombia?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Colombia covers 1,141,748 km², so Indonesia is 67% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Colombia?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 53.43 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Colombia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Colombia is richer: $8,562 against $5,060. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $457.41B for Colombia.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Colombia?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $11.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).