Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 5.5 times the population of South Korea: 285.72 million people against 51.68 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 30% larger than Indonesia's, at $1.87T versus $1.45T.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.45T | Higher: $1.87T | 2025 | $1.40T / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 2.1% | 2025 | 3.7% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 3.2% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $3,168 | 2023 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | Higher: $1,511 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 569,000 | 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 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 2.1% in South Korea.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Indonesia is the far younger society: median age 30.4 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 12.3 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 71.3).
South Korea is considerably more urbanized: 81% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in South Korea (98% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 19 times the size of South Korea: 1,904,569 km² versus 100,210 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 150.
Military
South Korea spends 4.3 times as much on defence as Indonesia: $47.57B versus $11.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Korea carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 0.8%.
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 569,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than South Korea?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so Indonesia is 19 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or South Korea?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $5,060. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or South Korea?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $11.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).