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THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

Official Language

Indonesian

Destination Stats

Population
Surface Area
Temperature
Water
Energy
Air Quality
Flora
Fauna

Indonesia, the world’s fourth-largest population, spans over 17,500 islands between Asia and Australia, housing 12% of Earth’s biodiversity. The world’s fourth largest human population lives among one of the most ecologically diverse environments on Earth, encasing an estimated 1,486 million flora and fauna species living on the planet. 

This section provides unique and little-known details about Indonesia’s ecological prowess as Asia’s tropical bridge to south of the equator.  Click any tab for the area you would like to explore quick and easily! ????

  • Total Population;:279,798,049 (est. 2024)
  • World Rank: #4
  • Projected Population Peak before Decreasing: 337.38 Million (2067)
    (Source: UNDESA-Population)
  • Growth Rate: +0.74% per year (est. 2024)
  • Birth Rate: 15.97 per 1,000 people.
  • Death Rate: 12.3 per 1,000 people.
  • Median Age: 30.1 years
  • M/F Ratio: Male – 50.3%; Female – 49.7% 
  • Life Expectancy: Females – 73.3  years; Males – 69.0 years.
  • Migration Rate: 0.83 people per 1,000 population (down 0.369 % from 2023).
  • Largest migrant groups: China – 31.3%; South Korea – 13.82%; United Kingdom – 13.55%; Singapore – 9.75%;, Japan – 8.18%; United States – 5.23%; India – 5.18%;  Australia – 4.64%; Pakistan – 3.52%; Netherlands – 3.01%; Philippines – 1.73%; Other – 0.09%.
  • Indigenous People: 58.88 million | 21.04% of the Indonesian population (claiming full or mixed ancestry). (IWGIA estimates 50-60 million indigenous Indonesians)
  • Ethnicities: Javanese – 40.1% | Sudanese – 15.5% | Malay – Madurese – 3.03% | Batak – 3.58% | Betawi – 2.88 | Minankabau – 2.73% | Bantenese – 1.97% | Banjarese– 1.74% | Balinese – 1.67% | Makasserese – 1.13% | Other – 25.67%.

(Note: There are 1,340 recognized ethnic groups in Indonesia. Javanese make up the largest ethnic group in Southeast Asia.  57.9% of Indonesia’s human population live in urban areas. – Source: World Bank – Indonesia)

  • Ecological Footprint: 1.58 gha/ person 
  • Biocapacity:  1.26 gha/person  
  • Biocapacity : -0.32 gha/person

(Global Footprint Network)

  • Agriculture – 34.1%
  • Forest – 51.7%
  • Wetlands (Mangroves, peatland, swamps, lakes, rivers, ponds): 13.5%
  • Artificial space, human development & Other: – 0.7%

Food and Non-food Products:

Indonesia’s tropical climate and fertile soil make it an ideal environment for cultivating a wide range of crops, supporting both local consumption and international trade.

  • Indonesia is the world’s largest producer and exporter of palm oil – over 115 million tons in 2023-2024
  • Other top crops produced include: rice (world’s 3rd largest producer), corn (world’s 6th largest), coconuts (world’s largest producer) sugar (world’s 12th largest), cassava, coffee, spices and tea.
  • Top non-crop foods include: Seafood, poultry (meat and eggs), cattle meat (lesser production).
  • Top non-food products: Rubber, tobacco, petroleum gas and oils, medicinal herbs.

(UN Food & Agriculture Organization – FAO)

  • Average Annual Surface Temperature: 27.2°C | 81°F
  • Coastal Plains: 28°C | 78.8°F
  • In Mountainous Region: 26°C
  • Seasons: Indonesia weather is generally of two seasons only:
    • Wet Months: November to March
    • Dry Months: April to October.
  • Total Renewable Water Resources:  2.02 trillion m3
    • Surface water sources: 85%
    • Ground water sources:  15%
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 2,350 mm 
  • While Indonesia has abundant fresh water supplies, potable water is not well dispersed throughout the country.  Water is less available in densely populated areas, like Java.  More fresh water is available in areas like Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua.
  • Total Annual Energy Consumption (2024): 2,698.3 TWh | 9.21 Quadrillion BTU | 232.01 MTOE | 2.70 Trillion kWh 
  • Energy Consumption per Capita: 30.3 million Btu | 8,880 kWh – #107 worldwide.
  • Energy Sources:  Oil 25.7% | Coal – 38.25% | Natural Gas – 12.56% | Renewables– 11.16% | Nuclear – 0.0% | Other (Biofuel – Wastes) – 12.33.  (BP Statistical Review of World Energy)
  • Renewable Energy Sources (% of renewable energy): Wind – 1.3% | Solar – 2.24% | Hydro – 52.45% | Biofuels – 24.65% | Geothermal – 19.26% |  Other (Wastes): 0.1%.
    (Compiled from IEA – Indonesia, IRENA-Indonesia and Energy Institute – Statistical Review of World Energy – 2023)
  • Indonesia renewable energy trends is beginning to grow significantly as it expects its overall energy demands are increasing.  In the short term, Indonesia’s use of renewable energy is expected to exceed its demand for fossil fuels, particularly coal and oil.
  • Known Flora: 31,750 Species 
  1. Vascular Plants: 22,653 (includes flowering plants and over 3,000 trees)
  2. Ferns and Fern Allies: 2,202
  3. Mosses & Liverworts: 2,761 (including 1,884 mosses) 
  4. Mushrooms: 2,773
  5. Fungi and Lichens: 743. Scientists estimate there are over 50,000 species found but unidentified.
  6. Algae: 5 Types
  7. Other: 613
  • Known Fauna: 227,643 Species
    • 8,157 Vertebrates
    • 219,486 Invertebrates
  • Known Flora: 31,750 Species 
    • Vascular Plants: 22,653 (includes flowering plants and over 3,000 trees)
    • Other: 9,097: 

Total Number of Endangered/Threatened Plant and Animal Species: 259

(IUCN Red List and Indonesia Interactive Country Fiches)

  • 52% (135) are plant species.
  • 48% (124) are animal species.
  • The leading causes of wildlife extinction in Indonesia are habitat loss, poaching, logging, mining, agriculture and other human activities. 
  • Indonesia has lost six percent of its primary forests over the last 30 years.
  • Danau Toba (Lake Toba), Sumatra: Like Toba is not only the largest lake in Indonesia, but it is the largest volcanic lake in the world.   The lake feels more like a sea as it also accommodates an island, Samosir Island, within it; it is often referred to as one of the world’s largest islands within an island!  
  • Gunung Palung National Park:  Home to 2,500 protected orangutans on 266,873 acres (108,000 hectares) in West Kalimantan, Gunung Palung is also a United Nations Great Ape Survival Project.  It is one of the few places in the world where orangutans can be seen in the wild, mixed with a wide spectrum of wildlife including.  The national park also sports a great diversity of ecosystems from mangroves and freshwater swamps to some of the oldest rainforests on Earth.  Exceptional fauna– ranging from  long-nosed proboscis monkeys exist in their pristine environments such proboscis monkeys, land squirrels, forest deer, honey bears, beruk apes, klampiau, lemurs, Buceros rhinoceros, forest chicken, Siamese Crocodile, Ivory turtles, and the rare canary squirrels – are indigenous to the park.  Exotic and rare flora ensnare the park including black orchids, Ulin woods, pulai and vast herbal plants.
  • Mount Carstenz:  Mount Carstenz is a climber’s must-do challenge.  Expressively embraced as Indonesia’s Summit by professional climbers around the world, the mountain sports a 100% successful climbing rate by all who attempt it, despite it climbing difficulty.   Mount Carstenz is the highest island peak in the world reaching the height of 16,024 feet (4,884 meters), making it the highest mountain peak in Oceania.  Its weather is relatively stable year-round.
  • Komodo National Park:  This national park was founded in 1980 primarily to protect the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon, but soon was designated to protect other species including marine wildlife.  In 1991, it was selected as a  UNESCO World Heritage Site largely due to its population of the Komodo Dragon which live nowhere else in the world.  It is considered one of the world’s greatest adventure destinations with extraordinary landscapes, clear waters, and hiking opportunities, not to mention home to perhaps the richest marine biodiversity on Earth. The park covers the three major islands of Komodo, Pancar and Rinca, along with 26 smaller islands.
  • Raja Ampat Islands:  Raja Ampat Islands encompasses about 1,500 small islands, shoals and reefs that surround the main Indonesian islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo and the smaller island of Kofiau.  The pristine land is inhabited by e. Further under the sea, lives At least 500 species of coral and 1,400 of fish, including whale sharks, manta rays, pygmy seahorse, and more live under the sea, accompanied on land by Indonesia’s extraordinary flora and fauna including endemic birds, lush jungles, vibrant wild flowers, and other wildlife. According to Conservation International wildlife survey, marine life diversity in Raja Ampat is the highest recorded on Earth.

Credits*:

Welcome from INDONESIA!

Indonesia is Earth’s fifth largest archipelago, spanning thousands of islands that serve as a bridge between the Asian and Australian continents.  Home to the world’s fourth largest human population, Indonesia includes 17,504 mostly unpopulated islands that contain nearly 12 percent of Earth’s biodiversity spread over the equator and both the Indian and Pacific Oceans.  Each island has its own unique ecology, from its largest and most populous island – Sumatera, and the cultural hub of Java-Madura – Java Island, to the pristine richness of Kalimantan, the captivating Sulawesi, and the untamed wilderness of the province of Papua.

Embracing over 800 languages and dialects, Indonesia stands as one of the world’s most linguistically diverse nations, where the richness of its cultural tapestry is becoming recognized worldwide. 

Countryside by the city of Banten, West Java, in Indonesia. (Pexels Fisk)

Though Indonesia is primarily located in the tropics, its weather remains mild and consistent throughout the year. From lush rainforests to over 99,000 km (62,000 miles) of stunning natural and human-made coastlines marked by cultural landmarks, Indonesia is collectively one of the world’s greatest ecological wonders.  This is Indonesia… 

Official Language: Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian) 

  • 94% of the Indonesian population communicates in Indonesian, but only 20% consider it their primary language.
  • Over 800 different languages are spoken in Indonesia, making it one of the world’s most linguistically varied nations. The number of distinct dialects is estimated at about 700.
  • About one-third of the population speaks Javanese (Jawa), the nation’s most popular language.
  • English speakers can be commonly found throughout Indonesia, primarily in the more tourist-oriented areas, but the number of residents who speak it is unknown.

Indonesia Fast Facts: Did You Know…?

  • Indonesia is officially known as The Republic of Indonesia.
  • Indonesia contains the world’s third largest area of rainforest after the Amazon and Africa’s Congo Basin.
Sekumpul Waterfall in rainforests in West Java, Indonesia. (Pexels photo by Joe Fiskar)
  • One of Indonesia’s 17,504  islands is named after the largest lizard in the world.  It is Komodo Island, named after the Komodo Dragon.
  • The western half of the island of New Guinea, called Western New Guinea or Papua, is the eastern-most territory of Indonesia. It contains 22% of the country’s surface area and 21.6% of its population.  The eastern half of New Guinea is called Papua New Guinea, a separate and sovereign commonwealth nation.
  • Candi Rara Jonggrand, also called the Prambanan Temple, a Hindu temple from 9th century which is dedicated to Brahma, also known as the creator in Hindu Mythology.  It is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Indonesia has 566 national parks covering 36,069,368 million ha (89,129,349 acres | 139,265 mi2 | 360,694 km2), making it the world’s ninth largest among countries worldwide.
  • Indonesia’s Puncak Jaya in Western New Guinea, known to climbing enthusiasts as Carstensz Pyramid, is the highest island peak in the world.  At 16,024 feet (4,884 meters),   it is also known as Southeast Asia’s Mount Everest.
  • The volcanic island of Krakatoa grows upwards by 12 centimeters every week!  The island is historically known for its massive five-month eruption in 1883 that destroyed 70% of the island and surrounding area with the force 13,000 times that of the first atomic bomb that devastated Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. 
  • Danau Toba (Lake Toba), the site of a super volcanic explosion about 69,000 to 77,000 years ago that was a climate changing event, is the largest volcanic lake in the world.  Located in North Sumatra, the lake covers an area of 1,130 km2 (440 mi2) with a maximum depth of 505 meters (1,657 feet).
Jakarata, Indonesia (Pexels by Tom Fisk)

Population

Total Population – 279,798,049 – (Est. 2024)| 337.38 Million – Peak (2067)

  • World Rank :  #4, 3.45% of the world’s total population.
  • Population Density:  153 people per km2 | 397 people per mile2. Ranks #73 globally. 
  • Most Populous City:  Jakarta, Java – 8.5 million. 
  • Least Populous City:  Munduk, Bali – 6,200.

Surface Area

Total Surface Area: 1,910,931 km2  | 737,815 mi2

  • World Rank #16. 
  • 94.8 % is Land Surface Area:  1,811,569 km2  (699,541 mi2) – 1.22% of the world’s total land surface area.
  • 5.2% is Water Surface Area: 99,362 km2 (38,364 mi2) – 0.04% of the world’s water surface.
    • Size Comparison:  Indonesia is the largest country in southeast Asia. 
    • The country spans an area about 1.4 times wider, east-to-west, than Australia; however, its actual surface area is only about 25% that of Australia’s surface area.  
  • Land boundaries total: 2,958 km | 1,838 mi
  • Coastline: 54,716 km | 33,999 miles
  • Maritime Claims territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22.24 km | 13.8 miles)
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles (370.4 km | 230.2 miles)
  • Elevation Highest Point: Puncak Jaya – 4,884 meters | 16,024 feet
  • Lowest point: Sea Level (Indian Ocean) – 0 meters | 0 feet
  • Average Elevation: 367 meters | 1,204 feet

New! Mother Earth™

Temperature

Average Annual Temperature: 27.2°C / 81°F 

(Average of temperature records from 1949-2024) 

  • Hottest Temperature on Record (including all provinces): At Maumere weather station (Flores Island) — 43.1°C | 109.58°F (Sept 2001) 
  • Coldest Temperature on Record (including all provinces):  Fak Fak weather station (West Papua province) — 0°C | 32°F (June 2009)

Water

Total Water Volume: 2,430 Billion Cubic Meters (bcm) | 641.9 Trillion Gallons  

(Indonesia Water Assessment by Asian Development Bank)

  • Total water volume includes surface water (1,973 bcm or 521.2 trillion gallons) and ground water (457.4 bcm or 1.21 trillion gallons).
  • Annual Precipitation (average): 2,702 mm | 106.38 inches. (AQUASTAT – UNFAO)
  • Renewable Water resources (potable water supply): 
  • Renewable water supply per resident:  7,380.3 cubic meters (1.95 million gallons).

Fast Facts:  About 130 million residents live in rural areas without access to wastewater collection or treatment. Only about 4% of wastewater is collected and treated safely.  This compares to 4% in metropolitan areas.

India Destination

The Republic of India

Official Language Hindi Destination Stats Welcome from The Republic of India! India, formally known as The Republic of India, is home to over 1.4 billion people, becoming the world’s most populous country in April 2023. The country occupies the world’s seventh largest area of land – including water surface – of nearly 3.3 million square kilometers…
Read More The Republic of India

Energy

Annual Total Energy Usage (2023): 2,698.3 TWh | 9.21 Quadrillion BTU | 232.01 MTOE | 2.70 Trillion kWh

(Source: IEA – Indonesia)

  • Global ranking in energy consumption: #13.
  • Percentage of Total Global Energy Consumption: 1.75%.
  • Annual per Capita Energy Use: 30.3 million Btu | 8,880 kWh – #107 worldwide. 
  • Energy Sources (2023):  Oil 25.7% | Coal – 38.25% | Natural Gas – 12.56% | Renewables– 11.16% | Nuclear – 0.0% | Other (Biofuel – Wastes) – 12.33.  (BP Statistical Review of World Energy)
  • Renewable Energy Sources (% of renewable energy): Wind – 1.3% | Solar – 2.24% | Hydro – 52.45% | Biofuels – 24.65% | Geothermal – 19.26% |  Other (Wastes): 0.1%.
  • (Compiled from IEA – Indonesia, IRENA-Indonesia and Energy Institute – Statistical Review of World Energy – 2023)

Indonesia’s Energy Transition Plan: Did You Know …?
While fossil fuels will continue to drive Indonesia’s energy needs in the short term, the country
launched a $20 billion energy partnership in 2022, led by investments from the United States and
Japan – called the Just Energy Transition Partnership – to provide at least 34% of its energy needs
from renewable sources by year 2050.

Air Quality

Air Quality Index- AQI: 76 – Moderate (2023 Average)

(Average of 20 areas, evenly divided between most polluted and least polluted. – IQ Air

  • Global ranking (Average Pollution): # 26 most polluted nation out of 131 monitored.- IQAir- Indonesia
  • Most polluted city is Pasarkemis, West Java with AQI = 136 – Deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups-IQ Air.
  • Least polluted city in 2022 is Kuta, Bali with AQI = 2.
  • Indonesia has a particulate pollution value of 55.8 micro gram/meter cube where WHO standard is 40. (AQLI University of Chicago) 
  • 91 percent of Indonesia’s nearly 280 million people live in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds the WHO guideline.  (AQLI University of Chicago)

Around the World

What’s Happening in Africa?

(EP News) –  A New Ocean is Forming in the Middle of Africa! … The major solid rock plate which makes up the African continent is splitting in two along rifts in Eastern Africa.  A 35-mile (56 km) crack emerged in the Ethiopian desert in 2005 that shows the creation of a new ocean.  The fault is located within the Great Rift Valley will eventually split Africa into two unequal parts. Geologists say this has been happening for some time and a new ocean will not appear for some 5 million years or so. We can wait! 🙂
Read More What’s Happening in Africa?

View Indonesia’s Current Air Quality

Real Time Air Quality Index – AQI

(Provided by IQAir)
Click Here!

Fauna

Indonesia’s Estimated Living Species (Flora and Fauna): ~1.486 Million

  • Indonesia is divided into two, distinct ecological regions: Western Indonesia, which is more influenced by the Asian bioregions – called the Sundaland, and Eastern Indonesia which is more influenced by Australasian species. The statistics here combine species of both regions.

Total Number of Identified Living Species: 259,393

(Important Note: Many species have been identified but not classified, resulting in approximate numbers in some cases. Indonesia’s richness in biodiversity, second only to Brazil, is much more complex since it encompasses two distinct and separate ecological regions. The information presented is the most credible and accurate data available in the general science record.)

  • Known Flora: 31,750 Species 
    • Vascular Plants: 22,653 (includes flowering plants and over 3,000 trees)
    • Ferns and Fern Allies: 2,202
    • Mosses & Liverworts: 2,761 (including 1,884 mosses) 
    • Mushrooms: 2,773
    • Fungi and Lichens: 743. Scientists estimate there are over 50,000 species found but unidentified.
    • Algae: 5 Types
    • Other: 613

Flora

  • Known Fauna: 227,643 Species
    • 8,157 Vertebrates
      • Mammals: 732 species (14% of the total species in the world).
      • Birds: 1,723 species (17% of the total species in the world).
      • Reptiles: 773 species (8% of the total world species).
      • Amphibians: 403 species (6% of the total world species).
      • Salt and Freshwater Fish: 4,813 species (9% of the total world species).
      • Other: 3,325.
    • ~219,486 Invertebrates

Total Number of Endangered/Threatened Plant and Animal Species: 259

(IUCN Red List and Indonesia Interactive Country Fiches)

Threatened species are considered vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.

Global Ecological Diversity: Did You Know…?

Indonesia is the second most biologically diverse country in the world, just after Brazil, and is listed by Conservation International as one

of the world’s 17 Megadiverse countries.

Komodo Dragon – near Jakarta, island of Java, Indonesia (Pexels photo by Tom Fisk-3990828)
Indonesian Sumatran Tiger(Lauren Bryant-WikimediaCC3.0 by Lauren Bryant)
Sources and Research | Ecology Prime

Indonesia: Sources and Research

We’d like to credit this diverse list of organizations for providing source material to create this platform.

Notable Environental Organizations and Platforms in Indonesia

Iceland Universities with Environmental Studies | Ecology Prime

Notable Indonesia Colleges & Universities for Environmental Studies

Research & Development Credits: