Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 12% more people than Pakistan: 285.72 million against 255.22 million (2025).
Indonesia's economy is 3.5 times the size of Pakistan's, at $1.45T versus $407.31B.
Per person, Indonesia is the wealthier of the two: $5,060 against $1,596 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Pakistan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.45T | $407.31B | 2025 | $1.40T / $373.07B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $5,060 | $1,596 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 3.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 3.5% | 2025 | 3.7% / 12.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.2% | 5.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 24 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $182 | $95 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $320 | $133 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $3.89 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 255.22 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 257.05 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 20.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 3.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 71.3 yrs | 67.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 40% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 73% | 57% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 881,912 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 289.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 180 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 2.9 t | Lower: 0.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $10.17B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 2.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 943,000 | 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 faster: 5.1% annual GDP growth versus 3.7%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 3.5% in Pakistan.
Average monthly earnings favour Indonesia: $182 against $95 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Pakistan is the far younger society: median age 20.6 versus 30.4 years.
Life expectancy is 3.5 years longer in Indonesia (71.3 vs 67.8).
Indonesia is considerably more urbanized: 59% of people live in cities, against 40%.
Internet adoption is higher in Indonesia (73% vs 57% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 2.2 times the size of Pakistan: 1,904,569 km² versus 881,912 km².
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $11.04B (Indonesia) and $10.17B (Pakistan).
Relative to its economy, Pakistan carries the heavier military burden: 2.7% of GDP versus 0.8%.
Pakistan fields the larger armed forces: 943,000 personnel against 676,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Pakistan?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Pakistan covers 881,912 km², so Indonesia is 2.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Pakistan?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 255.22 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Pakistan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Indonesia is richer: $5,060 against $1,596. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $407.31B for Pakistan.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Pakistan?
- Indonesia spends more: $11.04B versus $10.17B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).