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When did Indonesia overtake Russia in population?

1976: Indonesia overtook Russia in population. Indonesia leads in 2023. UN annual population estimates.

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What the data shows

  • Indonesia: 90.79M in 1961, 281.19M in 2023 (3.1× higher).
  • Russia: 121.60M in 1961, 145.44M in 2023. It peaked at 149.45M in 1991.

About this chart

Indonesia overtook Russia in 1976 in the annual population series. The change is visible between consecutive observations: in 1975, Indonesia stood at 131.84 million, against Russia at 134.14 million. In 1976, the order reversed, with Indonesia at 135.17 million and Russia at 135.08 million. This is the most recent upward crossing by Indonesia in the available record.

By 2023, Indonesia was ahead: Indonesia recorded 281.19 million and Russia 145.44 million. These are UN World Population Prospects historical estimates, rather than census counts taken simultaneously in both countries. The chart uses the same annual series for each side and stops at the last common estimate, so future medium-variant projections do not determine the crossing.

The data

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data; estimates to 2023, medium-variant projections after, millions of people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Crossings compare adjacent annual observations; the highlighted year is the most recent upward crossing in this series. Historical UN estimates only; the chart contains no future projections.

Indonesia overtakes Russia, Population, millions of people, 1961–2023, 1961–2023
Date🇮🇩 Indonesia🇷🇺 Russia
196190.79M121.60M
196293.38M123.11M
196396.05M124.45M
196498.83M125.63M
1965101.37M126.63M
1966103.79M127.53M
1967106.53M128.34M
1968109.45M129.07M
1969112.52M129.76M
1970115.66M130.37M
1971118.83M130.99M
1972122.04M131.73M
1973125.29M132.48M
1974128.56M133.26M
1975131.84M134.14M
1976135.17M135.08M
1977138.53M136.04M
1978141.95M136.98M
1979145.44M137.82M
1980148.95M138.57M
1981152.49M139.35M
1982156.05M140.25M
1983159.65M141.33M
1984163.25M142.46M
1985166.78M143.57M
1986170.18M144.81M
1987173.51M146.15M
1988176.86M147.36M
1989180.20M148.28M
1990183.50M148.98M
1991186.78M149.45M
1992190.04M148.92M
1993193.31M148.14M
1994196.59M148.20M
1995199.89M148.29M
1996203.20M148.09M
1997206.54M147.85M
1998209.83M147.64M
1999213.01M147.24M
2000216.08M146.72M
2001219.10M146.12M
2002222.09M145.94M
2003225.05M145.79M
2004227.93M145.18M
2005230.87M144.60M
2006233.95M144.10M
2007237.06M143.86M
2008240.16M143.81M
2009243.22M143.87M
2010246.31M143.93M
2011249.47M144.04M
2012252.70M144.29M
2013255.85M144.60M
2014258.88M144.93M
2015261.80M145.31M
2016264.63M145.78M
2017267.35M146.19M
2018269.95M146.43M
2019272.49M146.53M
2020274.82M146.37M
2021276.76M145.84M
2022278.83M145.58M
2023281.19M145.44M

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Frequently asked questions

When did Indonesia overtake Russia in population?

Indonesia overtook Russia in 1976 in the annual population series. Indonesia was below Russia in 1975 and above it in 1976.

Which has the larger population in 2023?

By 2023, Indonesia was ahead: Indonesia recorded 281.19 million and Russia 145.44 million.

What does the population comparison measure?

These are UN World Population Prospects historical estimates, rather than census counts taken simultaneously in both countries. The chart uses the same annual series for each side and stops at the last common estimate, so future medium-variant projections do not determine the crossing.

Where does this data come from?

UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data; estimates to 2023, medium-variant projections after, millions of people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Crossings compare adjacent annual observations; the highlighted year is the most recent upward crossing in this series. Historical UN estimates only; the chart contains no future projections. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

Can I turn this chart into a video?

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Related data

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WorldReal data

Indonesia's population

Indonesia: UN projects a 322.6M population peak in 2058. Its medium scenario puts 2100 at 295.51M, compared with 281.19M in 2023.

MoneyReal data

Indonesia's GDP

Indonesia GDP reached $1.45T in 2025. Its rank was 23 in 1980 and 17 in 2025. Current US dollars, not real growth.

CitiesReal data

Indonesia's largest cities

Jakarta: 41.91M people in 2025, versus 11.7M in 1975. UN dense urban areas, not city limits. Post-2025 values are projections.