Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 7.7 times the population of Saudi Arabia: 285.72 million people against 36.97 million (2025).
Indonesia's economy is 13% larger than Saudi Arabia's, at $1.45T versus $1.28T.
Per person, Saudi Arabia is the wealthier of the two: $34,537 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Saudi Arabia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.45T | $1.28T | 2025 | $1.40T / $1.24T |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $34,537 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 2.1% | 2025 | 3.7% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 3.2% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $1,799 | 2023 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | Higher: $1,067 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $5.06 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 36.97 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 36.54 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 2.29 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 79.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 85% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 2,149,690 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 692 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 20.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $80.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 7.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 282,000 | 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 4.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 2.1% in Saudi Arabia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Saudi Arabia: $1,799 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 30.4 (Indonesia) and 29.6 (Saudi Arabia).
Life expectancy is 7.7 years longer in Saudi Arabia (79.0 vs 71.3).
Saudi Arabia is considerably more urbanized: 85% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in Saudi Arabia (100% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 11% smaller than Saudi Arabia: 1,904,569 km² versus 2,149,690 km².
Indonesia is far more densely settled: 150 people per km² against 17.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends 7.3 times as much on defence as Indonesia: $80.33B versus $11.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 0.8%.
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 282,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km², so Saudi Arabia is 13% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Saudi Arabia?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 36.97 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Saudi Arabia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Saudi Arabia is richer: $34,537 against $5,060. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $1.28T for Saudi Arabia.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $11.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).