Indonesia 

Geography

Economics

Demographics

Military

Politics

Known for being an island archipelago as well as being home to the largest number of Muslims within as state, Indonesia has had a violent road to independence. Before contact with Europeans, Indonesia was inhabited by different tribes from each of its islands. During this period, the main religions were Buddhism until it was replaced by Islam between the seventh and the 16th century. Because Indonesia is home to several indigenous spices, it became increasingly lucrative for European powers to trade with Indonesia. At the start of the 17th century, the Dutch East India Company began colonizing the island of Java and brought it under full Dutch jurisdiction at the end of the 18th century. During the second world war, Imperial Japan invaded Indonesia and occupied the area until 1945. After the surrender of the Japanese, and Indonesian nationalist movement gained control over Indonesia. In an attempt to regain Indonesia, the Dutch fought for four years a war which was mostly unsuccessful. After attaining full independence in 1949, Indonesia invaded several islands that claimed their independence from Indonesia and incorporated these islands. Separtism as well as economic instability has played Indonesia up until the 21st century. At the start of the 21st century, Indonesia was hit by a powerful tsunami which killed more than 200,000 people and weakened its economy. 

Surface

Surface (in square kilometers)

Surface (in square miles)

Surface (water)

Water Surface (in square kilometers)

Water Surface (in square miles)

Share of water (%)

Temperature

Average temperature (in Celcius)

Average temperature (in Farenheit)

Average high temperature (in Celcius)

Average high temperature (in Farenheit)

Average low temperature (in Celcius)

Average low temperature (in Farenheit)

Rainfall

Average rainfall (mm)

Average rainfall (inch)

Distance to other capitals (kilometers)

Distance to other capitals (miles)

Proximity

Economic organizations

Gross Domestic Product (US$)

Gross Domestic Product per capita

Amount of memberships (economic organizations)

Absolute earnings for every 1$

Relative earnings

GDP in PPP per capita (in US$)

 

GDP in PPP per capita

Gross Domestic product (in million US$)

GDP per capita (in US$)

Surface GDP

GDP per square kilometer (in US$)

GDP per square mile(in US$)

Relative GDP in PPP

Population

Population density

Emigration

Immigration

Literacy

Health

Population density (in km2)

Population density (in mi2)

Religion

Christianity (share of the total population)

Islam (share of the total population)

Buddhism (share of the total population)

Hinduism (share of the total population)

Judaism (share of the total population)

Other religions (share of the total population)

Non-religious (share of the total population)

Military spending (in % of GDP)

Military spending

It spends around 0.7 percent of its GDP, or US$7.6 billion on its military. This represents nearly 0.4 percent of total global military expenditure and makes Indonesia the 28th highest funded military in the world. 

The Indonesian military, called the Indonesia national Armed Forces, consist of a Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. It was created during its war for independence and has its main task in preventing internal and external threats.

Military membership

It is also a member of six international military organizations which makes it the 52nd most connected state in the world. It is a member of the following organizations: 

  • Conference on Disarmament 
  • Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons 
  • Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty 
  • International Atomic Energy Agency 
  • Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization 
  • Non-Aligned Movement 

Military membership

International wars

Indonesia has taken part in six international wars. These are: 

  • Indonesian National Revolution 1945-1949 

  • Malayan Emergency 1948-1960 

  • Operation Trikora 1961-1961 

  • Brunei revolt 1961-1961 

  • Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation 1963-1966 

  • Moro insurgency in the Philippines 1969-present 

Number of international wars fought

Military spending (in US$ million)

Membership (international political organizations)

Indonesia is a member of 16 international political organizations which makes it the 30th most connected state in the world. It is a member of the following organizations: 

  • Member state of the United Nations 
  • International Labour Organization 
  • Asia Cooperation Dialogue 
  • ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations 
  • Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia 
  • Colombo Plan 
  • Asian–African Legal Consultative Organization 
  • Organization of Islamic Cooperation 
  • UNIDROIT 

Political Membership

Democracy/dictatorship rating

Despite having regular elections, there are some democratic flaws within the Indonesian political system. One of these is the centralization of power which lacks accountability towards its voters. Another one is the participation of the Indonesian government in Inter ethnic and interreligious conflicts. Therefore, Indonesia has 62nd most democratic state in the world. 

Democracy/Dictatorship

The politics of Indonesia take place in the form of a presidential democratic republic where the president is head of state as well as head of government. 

  • Interpol 

  • Global Green Growth Institute 

  • Association of World Election Bodies 

  • International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance 

  • Partners in Population and Development 

  • South Centre (organization) 

  • World Organization for Animal Health 

If you liked this page, and you want to support us, please take a look at the support options on the top bar.

 

If you want to know more about other states, click on the flag on the right to discover Iran.

Indonesia 

 Indonesia is an island archipelago that consists of more than 17,000 islands which are located between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Most of its territory consists of rain forest due to its location on the equator. Also, because it is a vulcanic archipelago, it is susceptible to seismic activity and has more than 100 active volcanoes. Despite being an island state, it borders Malaysia to its north, Papua New Guinea a to its east and East Timor to its south. 

It is the 14th largest state in the world being slightly larger than Sudan and slightly smaller than Mexico. Its total surface is 1.9 million square kilometers or 741,000 square miles. 

It is the 10th state with the highest amount of surface water which is 93,465 square kilometers or 36,180 square miles. 

 

Below, a graph is shown which displays the absolute amount of water of each state in square kilometers and square miles.

Because of its location on the equator, Indonesia enjoys year-round warm weather with the only exception being the mountain ranges on its larger islands which enjoy a temperate climate. On average, the temperature is 26.1 degrees Celsius or 78.9 degrees Fahrenheit which makes Indonesia the 39th warmest state in the world. 

During the monsoon season, which is from November to March, the average temperature is 30.2 degrees Celsius or 86.4 degrees Fahrenheit. 

During the dry season from April to October, the average temperature drops down to 22.2 degrees Celsius or 72 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Most of its rainfall occurs with monsoons between November and March and its average annual rainfall is 236 centimetres or 93 inches. This makes Indonesia the 19th state with the most amount of rainfall. 

The capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, is home to around 10 million people. The capital that is furthest removed from Jakarta is Bogota Colombia with a distance of 19,840 kilometers or 12,328 miles. The capital that is closest located to Jakarta is Singapore of Singapore with a distance of 894 kilometers or 355 miles. 

The economy of Indonesia is largely based on agricultural products as well as the export of petroleum related products. It has a relatively low external debt and has a large economic potential. However, a lack of infrastructure as well as high unemployment rates characterize the economy of Indonesia as a developing economy today. Most of its exports go to China and United States which combined represent more than 25 percent of total exports. Most of its imports comes from China which is solely responsible for more than 25 percent. 

Indonesia is a member of 16 international economic organizations which makes it the 32nd most connected state in the world. It is a member of the following organizations: 

 

  • Asian Development Bank 

  • Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 

  • Bank for International Settlements 

  • International Monetary Fund 

  • Islamic Development Bank 

  • World Bank Group 

  • World Customs Organization 

  • World Trade Organization 

  • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 

  • International Bamboo and Rattan Organization 

  • Indian Ocean Rim Association 

  • International Renewable Energy Agency 

  • Group of 15 

  • Group of 77  

  • G20 

  • Advisory Centre on World Trade Organization Law 

It has the 15th highest GDP in the world which is just over US$1 trillion and represents 1.297 percent of total global GDP. 

Its GDP per surface area is the 86th highest in the world with US$565,000 per square kilometer or US$1.4 million per square mile. 

Its GDP per capita is, with just over US$4000, the 115th highest in the world. 

Its purchasing power, with US$12,360, is the 106th highest in the world. 

The relative Gross Domestic Product in Purchasing Power Parity compares the purchasing power of this state with that of the rest of the world. The graph on the left shows how much purchasing power of 1$ compared to the purchasing power of other states

With more than 270 million inhabitants, Indonesia is the fourth most populous state in the world. Most of the Indonesians are of East Asian descent with some smaller minorities being a mix between Arabs, Europeans and Indians. Indonesian is the official language in Indonesia with a smaller population speaking English or Dutch. 

It has the 62nd highest population density in the world with 141 people per square kilometer or 364 people per square mile. 

Around 4.3 million people, or 1.6 percent of its population has migrated to other states. This makes Indonesia and the 12th state with the highest amount of emigration and represents more than 1.7 percent of total global migration. Around 75 percent of all migrants have migrated to Malaysia or Saudi Arabia. The main reason for this migration has been the high rate of unemployment within Indonesia as well as an economic downturn at the start of the 21st century. 

Immigration to Indonesia is represented by 0.12 percent of the population, or just over 300,000 people. The reason for this low share of migrants is due to a lack of stimulation from the Indonesian government. A large share of immigrants comes from China which is solely responsible for 25 percent of total immigrants to Indonesia. 

Education in Indonesia is compulsory between the ages of five and 15. During this period, children attend primary school as well as a junior high school. As a result of the Dutch colonization, a school system has been put in place where children from rural areas still have the ability to follow the limited education which lasts around three years. This has led to the literacy rate of 94.7 percent which is the 91st highest in the world. 

The government of Indonesia has pledged to eradicate all communicable diseases in the coming two decades. At present, there are various mosquito borne diseases, waterborne diseases as well as HIV AIDS which puts the Indonesian health care system under pressure. As a result of the tsunami of 2004, various water infrastructure has been damaged which has led to the spread of multiple other diseases. Other health threats that Indonesia has, are a lack of nutrition, as well as lifestyle choices such as tobacco use and traffic accidents. On average, the life expectancy in Indonesia is 72.3 years with women reaching 74.6 years and men reaching 70.1 years. This makes Indonesia the 112th state with the highest life expectancy. 

Freedom of religion has been granted by the Indonesian government. However, this is only the case for officially recognized religions. 

With nearly 10 percent of Indonesians adhering to Christianity, Indonesia is the 152nd most Christian state in the world. Because of its large population, Indonesia is still home to the second largest Christian population in southeast Asia despite this percentage. Protestantism is the largest denomination followed by Catholicism. At the turn of the 21st century, there have been altercations between the Muslim and the Christian population which has led to forced conversions to Islam as well as violent attacks on Christians and religious buildings.

Islam started to spread throughout Indonesia at the beginning of the 13th century when merchants came in contact with the local population. In the following centuries, Islam started to spread and has become the dominant religion in Indonesia. Islam is the largest religion in Indonesia with 87.22 percent of its population adhering to Islam. This makes Indonesia the 31st most Islamic state in the world as well as having the highest amount of people within its borders adhering to Islam. Almost all Muslims in Indonesia adhere to the Sunni branch of Islam. 

Buddhism is practiced by 0.5 percent of the population. It is mainly located on the island of Java and Bali. 

Hinduism is practiced by 1.7 percent of the population and is mostly present on the island of Bali where it makes up more than 80 percent of the population there. Hinduism, along with Buddhism was the dominant religion up until the 15th century when it was ssurpassed by Islam. 

There is a small community of Jews residing in Indonesia which is less than 1000 people and is mainly located in the capital Jakarta. 

Other religions are practiced by 0.27 percent of the population. The most prevalent of these is Kejawen in which animism and the honouring of deceased ancestors are central. 

Irreligion is represented by 0.07 percent of the population and is relatively uncommon. This is largely due to stigma and social pressures. 

Most of its water is in the form of surface water. However, due to the large urban areas and virtually uninhabited islands, the water is unequally distributed which leads to more than 20 million people having a lack of acces to water. 

The absolute earnings (GDP per capita) reflect the average yearly income. The figure below shows how much, on average, an inhabitant of another state earns for every $1 earned by a citizen of this state.