Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 4.0 times the population of Thailand: 285.72 million people against 71.62 million (2025).
Indonesia's economy is 2.5 times the size of Thailand's, at $1.45T versus $577.01B.
Per person, Thailand is the wealthier of the two: $8,057 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | Thailand | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.45T | $577.01B | 2025 | $1.40T / $526.41B |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $8,057 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 2.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.9% | Lower: -0.1% | 2025 | 3.7% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | 3.2% | Lower: 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 31 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $508 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $320 | $254 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $4.02 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 71.62 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 70.03 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 40.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 76.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 63% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 513,120 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 139.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 268 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $5.52B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 1.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 455,000 | 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 2.4%.
Indonesia runs the hotter price environment: 1.9% inflation versus -0.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour Thailand: $508 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Indonesia is the far younger society: median age 30.4 versus 40.6 years.
Life expectancy is 5.3 years longer in Thailand (76.6 vs 71.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Thailand (91% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 3.7 times the size of Thailand: 1,904,569 km² versus 513,120 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Indonesia spends 2.0 times as much on defence as Thailand: $11.04B versus $5.52B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 455,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than Thailand?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while Thailand covers 513,120 km², so Indonesia is 3.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or Thailand?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 71.62 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than Thailand?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Thailand is richer: $8,057 against $5,060. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $577.01B for Thailand.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or Thailand?
- Indonesia spends more: $11.04B versus $5.52B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).