Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 3.4 times the population of Germany: 285.72 million people against 83.49 million (2025).
Germany's economy is 3.5 times the size of Indonesia's, at $5.05T versus $1.45T.
Per person, Germany is the wealthier of the two: $60,496 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Germany | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.45T | Higher: $5.05T | 2025 | $1.40T / $4.66T |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $60,496 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 2.2% | 2025 | 3.7% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.2% | 3.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 80 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $4,647 | 2023 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | Higher: $2,442 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 83.49 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 84.01 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 45.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 80.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 82% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 93% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 357,114 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 233.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 572 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 6.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $88.46B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 183,000 | 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 0.2%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 2.2% in Germany.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 80 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Germany: $4,647 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Indonesia is the far younger society: median age 30.4 versus 45.5 years.
Life expectancy is 9.5 years longer in Germany (80.8 vs 71.3).
Germany is considerably more urbanized: 82% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in Germany (93% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 5.3 times the size of Germany: 1,904,569 km² versus 357,114 km².
Military
Germany spends 8.0 times as much on defence as Indonesia: $88.46B versus $11.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Germany carries the heavier military burden: 1.9% of GDP versus 0.8%.
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 183,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Germany?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Germany covers 357,114 km², so Indonesia is 5.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Germany?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 83.49 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Germany?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Germany is richer: $60,496 against $5,060. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $5.05T for Germany.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Germany?
- Germany spends more: $88.46B versus $11.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).