Compare countries · Indonesia vs Vietnam
Indonesia vs Vietnam
Across 13 comparable indicators: Indonesia leads on 2, Vietnam on 9, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Indonesia cheaper than Vietnam?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Indonesia at 26.1 and Vietnam at 26.4. The two are effectively tied (under 2% apart).
Is Indonesia or Vietnam safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Indonesia scores 1.92 and Vietnam scores 1.74. Vietnam ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Indonesia or Vietnam?
On the UN Human Development Index, Indonesia scores 0.728 and Vietnam scores 0.766. Vietnam scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Indonesia compared to Vietnam?
GNI per capita runs $5,120 in Indonesia against $4,970 in Vietnam; people live 71.3 years on average against 74.7; Numbeo users rate healthcare 61 against 62. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Indonesia
26.1
Better than 92% of countries
Vietnam
26.4
Better than 92% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Indonesia
9.1
Better than 79% of countries
Vietnam
9.9
Better than 76% of countries
Indonesia: 8% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Indonesia
1.92
Better than 58% of countries
Vietnam
1.74
Better than 75% of countries
Vietnam: more peaceful (1.74 vs 1.92).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Indonesia
53.6
Around the global middle
Vietnam
59.9
Better than 62% of countries
Vietnam: higher perceived safety (59.9 vs 53.6).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Indonesia
0.728
Worse than 59% of countries
Vietnam
0.766
Around the global middle
Vietnam: higher human development (0.766 vs 0.728).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Indonesia
$17,660
Worse than 56% of countries
Vietnam
$18,088
Worse than 55% of countries
Vietnam: 2% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Indonesia
71.3 yrs
Worse than 65% of countries
Vietnam
74.7 yrs
Around the global middle
Vietnam: 3.4 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Indonesia
61.2
Worse than 59% of countries
Vietnam
62.2
Worse than 56% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Indonesia
45 Mbps
Worse than 74% of countries
Vietnam
289 Mbps
Better than 95% of countries
Vietnam: 536% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Indonesia
43/100
Worse than 72% of countries
Vietnam
21/100
Worse than 97% of countries
Indonesia: freer press (43 vs 21 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Indonesia
5.62
Worse than 60% of countries
Vietnam
6.43
Better than 69% of countries
Vietnam: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.43 vs 5.62).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Indonesia
471
Worse than 69% of countries
Vietnam
500
Worse than 56% of countries
Vietnam: stronger English proficiency (500 vs 471).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Indonesia
66.5
Worse than 84% of countries
Vietnam
71.1
Worse than 72% of countries
Vietnam: more pleasant climate rating (71.1 vs 66.5).
Deciding between Indonesia and Vietnam for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Indonesia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Vietnam profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.