Indonesia

World Book Index

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 (2024 est.)

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

Executive branch
chief of state: President PRABOWO Subianto Djojohadikusumo (since 20 October 2024)
head of government: President PRABOWO Subianto Djojohadikusumo (since 20 October 2024)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador-designate INDROYONO Soesilo; Chargé d'Affaires Nidya KARTIKASARI (since 1 September 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Peter M. HAYMOND (since 15 June 2025)

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)
$4.102 trillion (2024 est.)
$3.906 trillion (2023 est.)
$3.718 trillion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$14,500 (2024 est.)
$13,900 (2023 est.)
$13,300 (2022 est.)

Exports
$300.868 billion (2024 est.)
$291.287 billion (2023 est.)
$315.746 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
China 24%, USA 9%, India 8%, Japan 8%, Singapore 5% (2023)

Exports - commodities
coal, palm oil, iron alloys, lignite, garments (2023)

Imports
$279.419 billion (2024 est.)
$262.694 billion (2023 est.)
$273.031 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
China 29%, Singapore 8%, Japan 7%, USA 5%, Malaysia 5% (2023)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, crude petroleum, plastics, vehicle parts/accessories, integrated circuits (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.728, ranking it 113th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 78th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 5.725. (more information)