Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 3.1 times the population of Iran: 285.72 million people against 92.42 million (2025).
Indonesia's economy is 4.0 times the size of Iran's, at $1.45T versus $362.68B.
Per person, Indonesia is the wealthier of the two: $5,060 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Iran | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.45T | $362.68B | 2025 | $1.40T / $436.91B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $5,060 | $3,924 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | -2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 42.2% | 2025 | 3.7% / 32.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.2% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | — | 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | Higher: $1,264 | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 92.42 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 89.18 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 34.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.67 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 85% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 1,648,195 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 56.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 793 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 8.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $7.89B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 650,000 | 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 grew while the other economy contracted: 5.1% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 1.9%.
People and society
Indonesia is the younger society: median age 30.4 versus 34.0 years.
Life expectancy is 6.6 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 71.3).
Iran is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in Iran (85% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 16% larger than Iran: 1,904,569 km² versus 1,648,195 km².
Indonesia is far more densely settled: 150 people per km² against 56.
Military
Indonesia spends about 40% more on defence than Iran: $11.04B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Iran carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.8%.
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 650,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Iran?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Iran covers 1,648,195 km², so Indonesia is 16% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Iran?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 92.42 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Iran?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Indonesia is richer: $5,060 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $362.68B for Iran.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Iran?
- Indonesia spends more: $11.04B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).