Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 31 times the population of Switzerland: 285.72 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Indonesia's economy is about 40% larger than Switzerland's, at $1.45T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.45T | $1.04T | 2025 | $1.40T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.9% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 3.7% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.2% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $7,309 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 20,000 | 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 1.3%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 0.2% in Switzerland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Indonesia is the far younger society: median age 30.4 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 13.1 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 71.3).
Switzerland is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in Switzerland (97% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 46 times the size of Switzerland: 1,904,569 km² versus 41,284 km².
Military
Indonesia spends about 65% more on defence than Switzerland: $11.04B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Switzerland?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Indonesia is 46 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Switzerland?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $5,060. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Switzerland?
- Indonesia spends more: $11.04B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).