Skip to content

Economy of China vs Indonesia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $1.4T for Indonesia, ranking 2/197 and 16/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $561B (40.2% of GDP) in Indonesia.

China vs Indonesia GDP by year

China
Indonesia
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Indonesia
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $1,396,300,098,191
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $1,371,169,301,564
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $1,319,101,183,380
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $1,186,509,691,087
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $1,059,054,842,698
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $1,119,099,871,350
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $1,042,271,532,989
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $1,015,618,744,160
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $931,877,364,038
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $860,854,232,686
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $890,814,755,534
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $912,524,136,718
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $917,869,913,333
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $892,969,104,563
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $755,094,157,622
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $539,580,085,612
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $510,228,634,992
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $432,216,737,775
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $364,570,515,618
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $285,868,619,196
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $256,836,875,295
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $234,772,463,824
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $195,660,611,165
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $160,446,947,785
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $165,021,012,078
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $140,001,351,215
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $95,445,547,873
1997 $967,753,570,435 $215,748,998,610
1996 $868,523,936,530 $227,369,679,375
1995 $738,190,896,228 $202,132,028,723
1994 $566,929,539,493 $176,892,143,932
1993 $446,557,291,212 $158,006,700,302
1992 $428,502,354,788 $128,026,966,580
1991 $384,510,452,962 $116,621,996,217
1990 $361,560,229,446 $106,140,727,334
1989 $348,380,566,802 $94,451,427,877
1988 $312,888,888,889 $84,300,174,486
1987 $273,455,156,951 $75,929,617,558
1986 $301,310,144,928 $79,954,072,545
1985 $310,064,625,850 $85,289,488,375
1984 $260,442,857,143 $84,853,700,028
1983 $231,130,268,199 $81,052,283,384
1982 $205,480,916,031 $90,158,449,295
1981 $196,218,253,968 $85,518,233,419
1980 $191,487,500,000 $72,482,337,397
1979 $178,573,913,043 $51,400,186,343
1978 $149,788,617,886 $51,455,719,076
1977 $175,226,595,860 $45,808,915,663
1976 $154,196,810,059 $37,269,156,627
1975 $163,687,619,736 $30,463,855,422
1974 $144,418,433,058 $25,802,409,639
1973 $138,764,340,892 $16,273,253,012
1972 $113,871,930,714 $10,997,590,361
1971 $99,959,013,880 $9,333,536,370
1970 $92,752,930,873 $9,150,684,932
1969 $79,847,786,729 $8,337,423,313
1968 $70,980,323,819 $7,076,465,300
1967 $73,011,350,596 $5,667,756,628
1966 $76,854,053,259 -
1965 $70,565,994,356 -
1964 $59,821,862,703 -
1963 $50,812,227,919 -
1962 $47,310,737,754 -
1961 $50,162,299,350 -
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/indonesia | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Indonesia by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Indonesia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Indonesia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $4,925 $16,448
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $4,876 $15,416
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $4,731 $14,285
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $4,287 $12,757
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $3,854 $11,729
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $4,107 $11,986
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $3,861 $11,372
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $3,799 $10,688
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $3,521 $10,263
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $3,288 $10,028
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $3,441 $10,065
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $3,567 $9,866
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $3,632 $9,530
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $3,579 $8,937
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $3,066 $8,353
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $2,218 $7,868
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $2,125 $7,569
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $1,823 $7,096
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $1,558 $6,583
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $1,238 $6,134
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $1,127 $5,700
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $1,043 $5,353
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $881 $5,076
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $732 $4,849
2000 $969 $2,964 $764 $4,639
1999 $881 $2,690 $657 $4,386
1998 $835 $2,483 $455 $4,356
1997 $787 $2,297 $1,045 $5,037
1996 $713 $2,088 $1,119 $4,807
1995 $613 $1,884 $1,011 $4,451
1994 $476 $1,680 $900 $4,096
1993 $379 $1,471 $817 $3,793
1992 $368 $1,276 $674 $3,538
1991 $334 $1,105 $624 $3,305
1990 $319 $991 $578 $3,044
1989 $311 - $524 -
1988 $284 - $477 -
1987 $252.3 - $438 -
1986 $282.4 - $470 -
1985 $295 - $511 -
1984 $251.2 - $520 -
1983 $225.9 - $508 -
1982 $203.7 - $578 -
1981 $197.4 - $561 -
1980 $195.1 - $487 -
1979 $184.3 - $353 -
1978 $156.7 - $362 -
1977 $185.7 - $331 -
1976 $165.7 - $275.7 -
1975 $178.6 - $231.1 -
1974 $160.4 - $200.7 -
1973 $157.3 - $129.9 -
1972 $132.1 - $90.1 -
1971 $118.8 - $78.5 -
1970 $113.3 - $79.1 -
1969 $100.3 - $74.1 -
1968 $91.6 - $64.7 -
1967 $96.8 - $53.2 -
1966 $104.5 - - -
1965 $98.7 - - -
1964 $85.7 - - -
1963 $74.5 - - -
1962 $71.1 - - -
1961 $76 - - -
1960 $89.7 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/indonesia | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $4,925 in Indonesia, ranking 121/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Indonesia ranks 107th at $16,448.

Economic indicators

China Indonesia
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$1.4T
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
16/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
5.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$4,925
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
121/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$16,448
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
107/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$561B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
40.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$1,978
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
120/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$3,371
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$758B
2023
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
178,605
2025
Number of billionaires
450
2025
33
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
28.8%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.5%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
16.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
2.18%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
4.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
3.31%
2023
Population
1402578808
288551776

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Indonesia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Indonesia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 16.8% 40.2%
2023 32.7% 82% 16.6% 39.6%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 17.3% 40.1%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 18.1% 41.1%
2020 34.8% 69% 18.4% 39.7%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 16.4% 30.6%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 16.6% 30.4%
2017 32% 53.9% 16.4% 29.4%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 16.9% 28%
2015 31% 40.8% 17.6% 27%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 18.4% 24.6%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 18.8% 24.9%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 18.8% 23%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 17.7% 23.1%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 16.9% 26.4%
2009 25.2% 34% 17% 26.5%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 19.4% 30.3%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 18.7% 38.1%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 18.4% 35.8%
2005 18% 25.9% 17.4% 42.6%
2004 17.6% 26% 17.8% 51.3%
2003 18% 26.4% 18.2% 55.6%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 16.9% 62.3%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 19.5% 73.7%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 15.3% 87.4%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 15.1% 95.9%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 15.1% 72.5%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 15.2% 26.4%
1996 11% 21.2% 11.5% 27.5%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 11.9% 32%
1994 12.4% - 13.5% 37%
1993 13.4% - 14.1% 40.4%
1992 14.6% - 16.8% 42.6%
1991 16.5% - 15% 39.2%
1990 18.2% - 15.8% 40.8%
1989 18.6% - 16.5% 42.5%
1988 20.9% 4.46% 17.3% 45.6%
1987 23.4% 3.6% 18% 49.7%
1986 25.6% 3.24% 20.9% 38.3%
1985 25.8% 3.31% 18.5% 28%
1984 26.9% 0.97% 16.1% 23.5%
1983 28.3% - 18.2% 23.1%
1982 27.9% - 18.8% 18.6%
1981 - - 24.4% 16.4%
1980 - - 22.1% 17.3%
1979 - - 20.9% 22%
1978 - - 20.1% 30.3%
1977 - - 19.5% 27.7%
1976 - - 21.8% 38.1%
1975 - - 20.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 17.3% 34.4%
1973 - - 16.3% 43.1%
1972 - - 15.7% 51.2%
1971 - - 14.5% 50.5%
1970 - - 13.8% 46.7%
1969 - - 12.8% -
1968 - - 8.82% -
1967 - - 10.4% -
1966 - - 9.18% -
1965 - - 10.7% -
1964 - - 9.55% -
1963 - - 10.3% -
1962 - - 7.89% -
1961 - - 15.1% -
1960 - - 14.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/indonesia | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Indonesia spent $235B, or 16.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 40.2% in Indonesia, ranking 34/185 and 132/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Indonesia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Indonesia
2024 -7.34% -2.3%
2023 -6.71% -1.64%
2022 -7.32% -2.31%
2021 -5.9% -4.4%
2020 -9.56% -6.07%
2019 -6% -2.09%
2018 -4.2% -1.69%
2017 -3.34% -2.26%
2016 -3.33% -2.56%
2015 -2.5% -2.72%
2014 -0.67% -1.8%
2013 -0.82% -1.96%
2012 -0.3% -1.59%
2011 -0.1% -0.7%
2010 -0.36% -1.24%
2009 -1.72% -1.64%
2008 -0.02% 0.05%
2007 0.06% -0.95%
2006 -1.13% 0.45%
2005 -1.38% 0.46%
2004 -1.49% -0.26%
2003 -2.36% -1.08%
2002 -2.84% -0.58%
2001 -2.56% -1.76%
2000 -2.81% -1.87%
1999 -2.3% -0.96%
1998 -1.08% -1.89%
1997 -0.73% -1.03%
1996 -0.73% 0.96%
1995 -0.94% 0.64%
1994 -1.68% 0.005%
1993 -0.89% -0.59%
1992 -1.22% -2.95%
1991 -1.04% -0.87%
1990 -0.72% -0.55%
1989 -0.91% -1.72%
1988 -2.22% -2.68%
1987 -2.08% -0.9%
1986 -1.82% -2.94%
1985 -0.45% -0.45%
1984 -1.44% 1.83%
1983 -1.61% -1%
1982 -1.33% -1.11%
1981 - -0.69%
1980 - -0.82%
1979 - -0.67%
1978 - -2.03%
1977 - -0.38%
1976 - -2.63%
1975 - -2.33%
1974 - -0.35%
1973 - -1.33%
1972 - -1.82%
1971 - -2.51%
1970 - -3.02%
1969 - -2.8%
1968 - 0%
1967 - -0.35%
1966 - -5.06%
1965 - -6.62%
1964 - -5.58%
1963 - -5.24%
1962 - -3.1%
1961 - -4.57%
1960 - -1.65%
1959 - -4.06%
1958 - -6.67%
1957 - -2.92%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.6%
1954 - -3.16%
1953 - -2.33%
1952 - -3.66%
1951 - 1.52%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1951–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/indonesia | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Indonesia's deficit of $32.1B, or 2.3% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 42 of those years, while Indonesia ran a deficit in 36 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.28% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.37% of GDP for Indonesia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Indonesia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Indonesia
2024 0.2% 2.18%
2023 0.2% 3.67%
2022 2% 4.21%
2021 0.9% 1.56%
2020 2.5% 1.92%
2019 2.9% 3.03%
2018 2.1% 3.2%
2017 1.6% 3.81%
2016 2% 3.53%
2015 1.5% 6.36%
2014 2% 6.39%
2013 2.7% 6.41%
2012 2.6% 4.28%
2011 5.4% 5.36%
2010 3.3% 5.13%
2009 -0.7% 4.39%
2008 5.9% 10.2%
2007 4.7% 6.41%
2006 1.5% 13.1%
2005 1.8% 10.5%
2004 3.9% 6.06%
2003 1.1% 6.76%
2002 -0.8% 11.9%
2001 0.7% 11.5%
2000 0.4% 3.69%
1999 -1.4% 20.5%
1998 -0.8% 58.5%
1997 2.8% 6.23%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/indonesia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 8.24% in Indonesia. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 2.18% in Indonesia.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $36B
Textiles & consumer goods $11.7B
Metals $9.82B
Chemicals & pharma $8.96B
Raw materials & minerals $5.02B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.55B
Raw agricultural goods $1.51B
Wood & paper products $939M
Miscellaneous $792M
Animal & marine products $258M
Indonesia
Export category Export value
Metals $24.4B
Raw materials & minerals $20.1B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.26B
Wood & paper products $3.6B
Chemicals & pharma $3.46B
Animal & marine products $1.43B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.19B
Machinery & equipment $988M
Raw agricultural goods $887M
Precious metals & jewellery $49.7M

Balance of trade

China Indonesia
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$8.72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
174/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-0.62%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$263B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$57.6B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$39B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
20.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
22.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

China Indonesia
Economic freedom 48.3 65.1
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 67/197
Property rights 40.9 39.7
Government integrity 42.3 42
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 43.1
Tax burden 69.3 81.5
Government spending 67.8 91.4
Fiscal health 4.4 89.8
Business freedom 68.7 69.2
Labor freedom 57.9 56.8
Monetary freedom 76.1 79.4
Trade freedom 73.4 78.6
Investment freedom 20 50
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Indonesia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Indonesia
2026 48.3 65.1
2025 49 65.2
2024 48.5 63.5
2023 48.3 63.5
2022 48 64.4
2021 58.4 66.9
2020 59.5 67.2
2019 58.4 65.8
2018 57.8 64.2
2017 57.4 61.9
2016 52 59.4
2015 52.7 58.1
2014 52.5 58.5
2013 51.9 56.9
2012 51.2 56.4
2011 52 56
2010 51 55.5
2009 53.2 53.4
2008 53.1 53.2
2007 52 53.2
2006 53.6 51.9
2005 53.7 52.9
2004 52.5 52.1
2003 52.6 55.8
2002 52.8 54.8
2001 52.6 52.5
2000 56.4 55.2
1999 54.8 61.5
1998 53.1 63.4
1997 51.7 62
1996 51.3 61
1995 52 54.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/indonesia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 65.1 for Indonesia, ranking 67/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Indonesia
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
43.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
39.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
12.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$1.39T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$16,010
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$156B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
20/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$15.9B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$24.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$8.39B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
5.65%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
9%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
31.4%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/indonesia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1951–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.