Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 2.2 times the population of Mexico: 285.72 million people against 131.95 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is 27% larger than Indonesia's, at $1.83T versus $1.45T.
Per person, Mexico is the wealthier of the two: $13,889 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Mexico | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.45T | Higher: $1.83T | 2025 | $1.40T / $1.85T |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $13,889 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 3.8% | 2025 | 3.7% / 4.7% |
| Unemployment | 3.2% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 54 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $551 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | Higher: $353 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $6.27 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 131.95 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 130.74 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 75.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 80% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 83% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 1,964,375 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 67.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 461 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 3.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $16.73B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 0.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 341,000 | 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 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 3.8% in Mexico.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 54 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Mexico: $551 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 30.4 (Indonesia) and 29.6 (Mexico).
Life expectancy is 4.0 years longer in Mexico (75.3 vs 71.3).
Mexico is considerably more urbanized: 80% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in Mexico (83% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is almost exactly the same size as Mexico: 1,904,569 km² versus 1,964,375 km².
Indonesia is far more densely settled: 150 people per km² against 67.
Military
Mexico spends about 50% more on defence than Indonesia: $16.73B versus $11.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 341,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Mexico?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Mexico covers 1,964,375 km², a difference of under 3%.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Mexico?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 131.95 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Mexico?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Mexico is richer: $13,889 against $5,060. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $1.83T for Mexico.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Mexico?
- Mexico spends more: $16.73B versus $11.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).