Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 47 times the population of Singapore: 285.72 million people against 6.11 million (2025).
Indonesia's economy is 2.4 times the size of Singapore's, at $1.45T versus $603.87B.
Per person, Singapore is the wealthier of the two: $98,814 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Singapore | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.45T | $603.87B | 2025 | $1.40T / $547.39B |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $98,814 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 5.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.9% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 3.7% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 3.2% | Lower: 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $3,483 | 2023 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $5.77 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 6.11 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 6.08 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 36.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 0.96 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 83.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 100% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 719 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 8499.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 54 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 9.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $15.06B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 2.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 59,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (5.1% for Indonesia, 5.0% for Singapore).
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 0.9% in Singapore.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 60 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Singapore: $3,483 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Indonesia is the younger society: median age 30.4 versus 36.2 years.
Life expectancy is 12.1 years longer in Singapore (83.3 vs 71.3).
Singapore is considerably more urbanized: 100% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in Singapore (94% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 2,649 times the size of Singapore: 1,904,569 km² versus 719 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Singapore is far more densely settled: 8500 people per km² against 150.
Military
Singapore spends about 35% more on defence than Indonesia: $15.06B versus $11.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Singapore carries the heavier military burden: 2.8% of GDP versus 0.8%.
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 59,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Singapore?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Singapore covers 719 km², so Indonesia is 2,649 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Singapore?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 6.11 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Singapore?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Singapore is richer: $98,814 against $5,060. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $603.87B for Singapore.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Singapore?
- Singapore spends more: $15.06B versus $11.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).