How Many People Live in Indonesia?

Indonesia has a population of approximately 288 million people spread across more than 17,000 islands, making it the 4th most populous country and the largest archipelago nation on Earth. The country stretches 5,120 km from east to west, wider than the continental United States. About 56% of Indonesians live on Java, which at 150 million people is one of the most densely populated large islands in the world (1,100 people per km²).

Indonesia is moving its capital from sinking Jakarta to a brand-new city called Nusantara on the island of Borneo. Jakarta is literally sinking into the sea, up to 25 cm per year in northern districts due to excessive groundwater extraction. The metro area of 34 million people faces catastrophic flooding risk. The new capital, announced in 2019 and under construction since 2022, is one of the most ambitious urban planning projects in modern history, expected to cost $33 billion.

Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country (87% Muslim) but practices a moderate, syncretic form of Islam that blends with Hindu, Buddhist, and animist traditions. The country has over 700 living languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse nations. Bahasa Indonesia, a standardized form of Malay, serves as the national language that unifies these diverse populations. Fertility has dropped to exactly 2.1 (replacement level), meaning Indonesia's population will eventually stabilize around 320 million by mid-century.

📊 Key Demographics

🏙️ What Are Indonesias Largest Cities?

The sinking capital

Jakarta is sinking into the sea at up to 25 cm per year in northern districts due to groundwater extraction. The metro area of 34 million faces catastrophic flooding. In 2019, President Jokowi announced the capital would move to Nusantara, a new city on Borneo. Construction began in 2022 but has been slower than planned. The move will take decades and cost an estimated $33 billion. Meanwhile, 40% of Jakarta is already below sea level.

🏝️ Indonesia Is Moving Its Capital to a Brand New City

Jakarta is sinking. Parts of the city drop 25 cm per year due to groundwater extraction, and roughly 40% of the city now sits below sea level. In 2024, Indonesia began constructing Nusantara, an entirely new capital city on the island of Borneo. The project will cost an estimated \$35 billion and aims to move the government by 2045. If completed, it would be one of the most ambitious planned cities since Brasilia (1960) or Canberra (1913).