Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Demographics of Indonesia - statistics & facts
With over 270 million people living across the archipelago, Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world. The population density in Indonesia exceeds 144 people per square kilometer, with the majority of the population residing on Java Island, making it the world's most populous island. Indonesia also has the largest Islamic population in the world. Over 87% of Indonesia’s population identify as Muslim. Despite being the largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia officially recognizes six religions in its constitution – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. Indonesia is currently entering a phase of demographic dividend, where the country’s population is dominated by citizens in their productive age, affording the opportunity to transform the country’s economy. The golden period of its demographic bonus is expected to peak between 2024 to 2030, and it is believed Indonesia will become one of the countries with the largest workforce in Asia.
In the past decade, Indonesia’s overall rate of population growth has been steadily declining. However, Indonesia was predicted to experience substantial population growth by 2030, with an increase of over 20 million from its current total population. Furthermore, Indonesia’s life expectancy has also been increasing, indicating improvement in Indonesia’s economy, health, and living conditions.
Unlike other Asian countries trying to enhance their population growth, the Indonesian government has been aiming to convince Indonesians to have fewer children. Through their efforts in promoting later marriages and family planning, Indonesia has been profiting greatly from these programs, which have helped to control population growth. However, considering the post-demographic dividend impact, the government has been evaluating its family planning campaign to make it more relevant to anticipate the risk of an aging population and avoid having a shortage of productive workers in the future.
Population structure in the Indonesian archipelago
Consisting of more than seventeen thousand islands, the Indonesian archipelago includes some of the world’s biggest and most famous islands, such as Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi, and Bali. However, for the past centuries, developments in Indonesia have focused more on Java Island, attracting people to move there, leading to an unequal population distribution. Java Island has the highest number of people living below the poverty line in Indonesia. However, the share of the island’s total population in poverty is still low compared to other islands in Eastern Indonesia. The unique geographical situation and unequal infrastructure development across Indonesia mean the population structure of the nation varies considerably.In the past decade, Indonesia’s overall rate of population growth has been steadily declining. However, Indonesia was predicted to experience substantial population growth by 2030, with an increase of over 20 million from its current total population. Furthermore, Indonesia’s life expectancy has also been increasing, indicating improvement in Indonesia’s economy, health, and living conditions.
Impending challenges on Indonesia’s aging population
Indonesia’s demographic advantage offers great potential for its economic growth, as the country is entering the golden period where the population is dominated by citizens in the productive age group. However, as this demographic dividend period ends and the younger generation grows older, Indonesia will face an increase in its aging population. This shift will cause Indonesia to face challenges and the country needs proactive initiatives to ensure robust pension and healthcare systems and sustain its economic growth.Unlike other Asian countries trying to enhance their population growth, the Indonesian government has been aiming to convince Indonesians to have fewer children. Through their efforts in promoting later marriages and family planning, Indonesia has been profiting greatly from these programs, which have helped to control population growth. However, considering the post-demographic dividend impact, the government has been evaluating its family planning campaign to make it more relevant to anticipate the risk of an aging population and avoid having a shortage of productive workers in the future.
