Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 2.3 times the population of Japan: 285.72 million people against 123.37 million (2025).
Japan's economy is 3.1 times the size of Indonesia's, at $4.44T versus $1.45T.
Per person, Japan is the wealthier of the two: $35,951 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Japan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.45T | Higher: $4.44T | 2025 | $1.40T / $4.03T |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $35,951 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 3.2% | 2025 | 3.7% / 2.7% |
| Unemployment | 3.2% | Lower: 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 65 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $2,801 | 2023 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | Higher: $1,207 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $3.08 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 123.37 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 123.20 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | -0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 49.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.23 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 86% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 377,930 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 326.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 812 Mt | 962 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 7.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $55.27B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 1.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 261,000 | 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 1.2%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 3.2% in Japan.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 65 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Japan: $2,801 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Indonesia is the far younger society: median age 30.4 versus 49.8 years.
Life expectancy is 12.7 years longer in Japan (84.0 vs 71.3).
Japan is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in Japan (86% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 5.0 times the size of Japan: 1,904,569 km² versus 377,930 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Japan is far more densely settled: 326 people per km² against 150.
Military
Japan spends 5.0 times as much on defence as Indonesia: $55.27B versus $11.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 261,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Japan?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Japan covers 377,930 km², so Indonesia is 5.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Japan?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 123.37 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Japan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Japan is richer: $35,951 against $5,060. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $4.44T for Japan.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Japan?
- Japan spends more: $55.27B versus $11.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).