Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 25 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 285.72 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
Indonesia's economy is 2.6 times the size of the United Arab Emirates', at $1.45T versus $552.32B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.45T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $1.40T / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.9% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 3.7% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 3.2% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | — | 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $320 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.3 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 63,000 | 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 4.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 30.4 (Indonesia) and 31.6 (the United Arab Emirates).
Life expectancy is 11.8 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 71.3).
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 73% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 23 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 1,904,569 km² versus 83,600 km².
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 2.1 times as much on defence as Indonesia: $22.76B versus $11.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 0.8%.
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Indonesia is 23 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or the United Arab Emirates?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $5,060. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $11.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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