Introduction
Background
The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century. The country won its independence in 1949 and is now the world's third most populous democracy, the world's largest archipelagic state, and the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.
Geography
Area
total : 1,904,569 sq km
land: 1,811,569 sq km
water: 93,000 sq km
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Natural resources
petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver
People and Society
Population
total: 281,562,465
Ethnic groups
Javanese 40.1%, Sundanese 15.5%, Malay 3.7%, Batak 3.6%, Madurese 3%, Betawi 2.9%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Buginese 2.7%, Bantenese 2%, Banjarese 1.7%, Balinese 1.7%, Acehnese 1.4%, Dayak 1.4%, Sasak 1.3%, Chinese 1.2%, other 15% (2010 est.)
Languages
Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (of which the most widely spoken is Javanese); note - more than 700 languages are used in Indonesia
Religions
Muslim 87.4%, Protestant 7.5%, Roman Catholic 3.1%, Hindu 1.7%, other 0.8% (includes Buddhist and Confucian) (2022 est.)
Population growth rate
0.73% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Jakarta; note - Indonesian lawmakers on 18 January 2022 approved the relocation of the country’s capital from Jakarta to a site on the island of Borneo between Samarinda City and the port city of Balikpapan; Nusantara ("archipelago"), the name of the new capital, is expected to be established in August 2024
Executive branch
chief of state: President Joko "Jokowi" WIDODO (since 20 October 2014)
head of government: President Joko "Jokowi" WIDODO (since 20 October 2014)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral People's Consultative Assembly consists of the Regional Representative Council (136 seats) and the House of Representatives (580 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Ida Bagus Made BIMANTARA (since 30 November 2023)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Michael F. KLEINE (since 20 November 2023)
Economy
Economic overview
one of the fastest growing economies and largest in Southeast Asia; upper middle-income country; human capital and competitiveness phase of its 20-year development plan; COVID-19 reversed poverty reduction trajectory; strengthening financial resilience
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$3.906 trillion (2023 est.)
$3.718 trillion (2022 est.)
$3.531 trillion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$14,100 (2023 est.)
$13,500 (2022 est.)
$12,900 (2021 est.)
Exports
$292.79 billion (2023 est.)
$315.746 billion (2022 est.)
$246.787 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
China 21%, US 10%, Japan 8%, India 8%, Malaysia 5% (2022)
Exports - commodities
coal, palm oil, iron alloys, natural gas, steel (2022)
Imports
$264.426 billion (2023 est.)
$273.031 billion (2022 est.)
$217.579 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
China 31%, Singapore 10%, Japan 6%, Malaysia 5%, Thailand 5% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, crude petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories, natural gas, plastics (2022)
Page last updated: Tuesday, October 01, 2024
