Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 15 times the population of Romania: 285.72 million people against 19.02 million (2025).
Indonesia's economy is 3.4 times the size of Romania's, at $1.45T versus $428.68B.
Per person, Romania is the wealthier of the two: $22,538 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.45T | $428.68B | 2025 | $1.40T / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 7.2% | 2025 | 3.7% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.2% | 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $1,722 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | Higher: $906 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 128,000 | 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 0.7%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 1.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 44 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Indonesia is the far younger society: median age 30.4 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 5.2 years longer in Romania (76.5 vs 71.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Romania (91% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 8.0 times the size of Romania: 1,904,569 km² versus 238,391 km².
Military
Indonesia spends 27% more on defence than Romania: $11.04B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Romania carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.8%.
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Romania?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so Indonesia is 8.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Romania?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Romania is richer: $22,538 against $5,060. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Romania?
- Indonesia spends more: $11.04B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).