Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 7.9 times the population of Malaysia: 285.72 million people against 35.98 million (2025).
Indonesia's economy is 3.1 times the size of Malaysia's, at $1.45T versus $472.19B.
Per person, Malaysia is the wealthier of the two: $13,125 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.45T | $472.19B | 2025 | $1.40T / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 5.1% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.9% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 3.7% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.2% | 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $698 | 2023 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | Higher: $328 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 136,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (5.1% for Indonesia, 5.2% for Malaysia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 1.4% in Malaysia.
Average monthly earnings favour Malaysia: $698 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 30.4 (Indonesia) and 31.0 (Malaysia).
Life expectancy is 5.5 years longer in Malaysia (76.8 vs 71.3).
Malaysia is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in Malaysia (98% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 5.8 times the size of Malaysia: 1,904,569 km² versus 330,803 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Indonesia spends 2.6 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $11.04B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Malaysia?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so Indonesia is 5.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Malaysia?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Malaysia is richer: $13,125 against $5,060. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Malaysia?
- Indonesia spends more: $11.04B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).