Question 1

What is the population of Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

The population of Indonesia is approximately 277.5M.

Question 2

How do people greet each other in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Indonesian culture is built on honor and respect, so greetings are gentle and courteous. Men and women usually shake hands and slightly bow the head at a first introduction; after that, a nod or slight bow is more appropriate. Do: Offer your hand for a handshake and nod your head when meeting someone for the first time Use a person's title in greetings and conversation if they have one Shake hands when congratulating someone or saying good-bye before a long trip Don't: Don't repeatedly shake hands in everyday greetings after the first meeting A man should not touch an older woman in public beyond a handshake Many Indonesians, especially the Javanese, have only one name, used both formally and casually Letters begin with Dengan hormat ('with respect')

Question 3

What are the dining customs in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Meals center on rice, served with vegetables, fish, meats, and often spicy hot sauces. Politeness and waiting for the host's invitation matter more than speed. Do: Wait to be invited before you eat or drink Keep both hands above the table while eating Compliment the food to please the hostess Leave a little food on your plate when finished Don't: Don't eat or drink while standing or walking on the street Don't finish your drink unless you want it refilled Don't use the left hand to eat Don't clear your plate completely, as that signals you want more A service charge is usually included at restaurants and tipping is uncommon Avoid public use of toothpicks; if needed, cover the mouth with one hand Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol

Question 4

What etiquette should visitors know in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Indonesians value patience, discretion, a quiet voice, and an unassuming attitude, and consider embarrassing someone a terrible insult. Unannounced visits are common and hospitality is important. Do: Be patient and keep a quiet, unassuming manner Sit only when invited, and rise when the host or hostess enters the room Eat at least a little of any refreshments served to avoid offending hosts Remove your shoes if the host is not wearing footwear, or before entering carpeted rooms and holy places Don't: Don't disagree openly or embarrass anyone in public Don't drink until invited to by the host Don't refuse a gift, as that is impolite Indonesians rarely say 'no' directly; they may say Belum ('not yet') Punctuality is valued but not at the expense of personal relationships Westernized Indonesians appreciate flowers when invited to dinner

Question 5

How should I dress in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Indonesians prefer modest dress, whether Western or traditional styles. Authentic hand-made batik clothing may be worn for formal occasions by both men and women. Do: Dress modestly Batik is the national handicraft, made by using molten wax to create designs before dyeing Traditional women's dress includes the kain (a long batik wraparound) and kebaya (a long-sleeved blouse)

Question 6

What gestures are polite or offensive in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Body language matters greatly, and the head and left hand carry special significance. Beckon only children or a becak driver, by waving all fingers with the palm facing down. Do: Cover your mouth with a hand if you must yawn in public Offer your seat to the elderly on public transportation Show approval with a pat on the shoulder Don't: Never touch another person's head Don't use the left hand to shake, touch, point, eat, or give and receive objects Don't stand with hands in pockets or on hips, a sign of defiance or arrogance Don't laugh at another's mistake, which is very offensive

Question 7

What is family life like in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Loyalty and cooperation among family members are highly valued, and extended families often live together or nearby. The home is traditionally led by the father, with the mother caring for the household and children. Families were traditionally large, but many now stop at two children Many urban women work outside the home, making up 40 percent of the labor force Indonesian women have relatively strong rights in property, inheritance, and divorce

Question 8

What do people do for fun and sport in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Popular pastimes include sepak takraw (keeping a rattan ball airborne with the feet), the martial art pencak silat, and the traditional board game congklak. The government promotes 'Sport for All.' Congklak is played with a wooden board and shells or pebbles, often at family gatherings A National Sports Day is held every September 9th as a symbol of unity Youth can join Karang Taruna (ages 10-25) or Pramuka, the Indonesian Scouts, where boys and girls may share a pack

Question 9

What is the capital of Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Jakarta has long served as Indonesia's capital and remains its largest city and commercial hub, situated on the northwestern coast of Java. However, Indonesian lawmakers approved in January 2022 the relocation of the capital to a new city on the island of Borneo, positioned between Samarinda and the port city of Balikpapan. The new capital, named Nusantara — meaning 'archipelago' in Javanese — was projected to be formally established in August 2024, a move driven partly by Jakarta's chronic overcrowding, flooding, and land subsidence.

Question 10

Where is Indonesia located?

Accepted Answer

Indonesia lies in Southeast Asia, straddling the equator between the Indian Ocean to the south and west and the Pacific Ocean to the north and east. It is the world's largest archipelago, comprising more than 17,000 islands that stretch roughly 5,100 kilometres from east to west. The country's territory spans parts of two continents — Asia and Oceania — and includes major landmasses such as Sumatra, Java, Borneo (shared with Malaysia and Brunei), Sulawesi, and the western half of New Guinea.

Question 11

What are Indonesia's ocean and sea borders?

Accepted Answer

As an island nation, Indonesia has no land borders in the conventional sense across open water, but its archipelago is bounded by several key bodies of water. The Indian Ocean lies to the south and southwest, while the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean border its northern and northeastern islands. The Java Sea, Banda Sea, Celebes Sea, and Timor Sea are among the many internal and peripheral seas that separate and connect Indonesia's thousands of islands, shaping both its geography and its long maritime trading heritage.

Question 12

What is the predominant religion in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Islam is by far the dominant religion in Indonesia, practiced by approximately 88% of the population, making the country home to one of the largest Muslim communities in the world. Protestantism accounts for roughly 5% of the population, and Roman Catholicism for around 3%, with Hinduism and Buddhism also practiced, particularly in Bali and among certain Chinese-Indonesian communities respectively. Religious life varies considerably across the archipelago's diverse ethnic groups, with Bali maintaining a distinct Hindu cultural identity and parts of eastern Indonesia having strong Christian majorities.

Question 13

What is the currency of Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

The official currency of Indonesia is the Rupiah, designated by the ISO code IDR. It is issued and regulated by Bank Indonesia, the country's central bank. The Rupiah has historically experienced periods of significant volatility, most notably during the 1997–98 Asian financial crisis, which triggered severe economic contraction and contributed to the end of President Suharto's three-decade authoritarian rule. Today the Rupiah is a fully convertible currency used across all of Indonesia's provinces and territories.

Question 14

What language is spoken in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Bahasa Indonesia is the official national language, a standardized and modified form of Malay that was adopted at independence to unify the country's extraordinarily diverse population. English and Dutch retain some presence due to colonial history and international commerce, while hundreds of regional and local dialects — including Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese — are actively spoken at the community level. With over 700 living languages spread across its islands, Indonesia ranks among the most linguistically diverse nations on Earth, and Bahasa Indonesia serves as the essential lingua franca bridging these communities.

Question 15

What is Indonesia known for?

Accepted Answer

Indonesia is known internationally for several distinct landmarks and exports. The 9th-century Borobudur Buddhist temple on Java — surrounded by volcanic peaks and terraced rice fields — is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The catastrophic 1883 eruption of Krakatoa remains one of the most powerful volcanic events in recorded history. Indonesia is also the world's leading producer of palm oil and a major exporter of coal and nickel, while its cuisine — featuring dishes such as nasi goreng, rendang, and satay — has earned global recognition.

Question 16

What type of government does Indonesia have?

Accepted Answer

Indonesia is a presidential republic, in which the president serves as both head of state and head of government and is elected directly by popular vote. The country achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1949 after a four-year struggle, and spent much of the following decades under authoritarian rule, most notably under President Suharto from 1967 to 1998. The fall of Suharto's New Order regime opened a sustained democratic reform period known as Reformasi, during which Indonesia transitioned to a multiparty democracy with direct presidential elections introduced in 2004.

Indonesia

Declare Your Relationship to Indonesia

CountryReports Community

Quick Look Factsheet

Unlock the full Indonesia factsheet