Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 51 times the population of Norway: 285.72 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
Indonesia's economy is 2.7 times the size of Norway's, at $1.45T versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.45T | $530.76B | 2025 | $1.40T / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 3.1% | 2025 | 3.7% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.2% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $6,440 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 25,000 | 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 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 3.1% in Norway.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Indonesia is the far younger society: median age 30.4 versus 39.8 years.
Life expectancy is 11.9 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 71.3).
Norway is considerably more urbanized: 84% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in Norway (99% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 5.9 times the size of Norway: 1,904,569 km² versus 323,802 km².
Indonesia is far more densely settled: 150 people per km² against 17.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $11.04B (Indonesia) and $10.44B (Norway).
Relative to its economy, Norway carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 0.8%.
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Norway?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Indonesia is 5.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Norway?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $5,060. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Norway?
- Indonesia spends more: $11.04B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).