Jakarta

For other uses, see Jakarta (disambiguation).

Jakarta
Special region
Special Region of Jakarta Daerah Khusus Jakarta
Local transcription(s)
• Betawi	جاكرتا
Golden Triangle of Jakarta Bundaran HI Jakarta Old Town National Museum Maritime Museum Merdeka Palace Error creating thumbnail: File missing Monas
Coat of arms Error creating thumbnail: File missing Wordmark
Nicknames:  The Big Durian New York Van Java J-Town
Motto(s):  Jaya Raya  (Sanskrit) "Victorious and Great"
Coordinates:
Country	Indonesia
Region	Java
Metropolitan area	Jabodetabek
Administrative cities and regencies	List Central Jakarta North Jakarta South Jakarta West Jakarta East Jakarta Thousand Islands
First settled	400 BC (Buni pottery culture)
First mentioned	358 AD (Tugu inscription)
Foundation	22 June 1527 (1527-06-22)
Establishment	30 May 1619 (1619-05-30)
City status	4 March 1621 (1621-03-04)
Province status	28 August 1961 (1961-08-28)
Capital	Central Jakarta (de facto)
Government
• Type	Special administrative region
• Body	Special Region of Jakarta Provincial Government
• Governor	Pramono Anung (PDI-P)
• Vice Governor	Rano Karno
• Legislature	Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD)
Area
• Special region	660.982 km2 (255.207 sq mi)
• Urban	3,546 km2 (1,369 sq mi)
• Metro	7,076.31 km2 (2,732.18 sq mi)
• Rank	38th in Indonesia
Elevation	8 m (26 ft)
Population  (mid 2025)
• Special region	10,677,975
• Rank	6th province in Indonesia 1st city in Indonesia
• Density	16,000/km2 (42,000/sq mi)
• Urban	35,386,000
• Urban density	10,000/km2 (26,000/sq mi)
• Metro	32,594,159
• Metro density	4,600/km2 (12,000/sq mi)
Demonym	Jakartan
GDP (Nominal, 2023)
• Special region	Rp 3,442.98 trillion US$ 225.88 billion Int$ 724.01 billion (PPP)
• Per capita	Rp 322.62 million US$ 21,166 Int$ 67,842 (PPP)
• Metro	Rp 6,404.70 trillion US$ 420.192 billion Int$ 1.346 trillion (PPP)
Time zone	UTC+07:00 (WIB)
Postal codes	10110–14540 19110–19130
Area code	+62 21
ISO 3166 code	ID-JK
Vehicle registration	B
HDI (2024)	0.850 (1st) – very high
Website	{{URL|example.com|optional display text}}

Jakarta, officially the Special Region of Jakarta, previously called the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, is the de facto capital and largest city of Indonesia and an autonomous region with administrative status equivalent to a province. Located on the northwest coast of Java, the world’s most populous island, the city borders the provinces of West Java and Banten and faces the Java Sea to the north. Although Jakarta covers about 661.23 square kilometres (255.30 square miles), the wider Jakarta metropolitan area—commonly known as Greater Jakarta—is one of the largest urban agglomerations in the world. The city serves as Indonesia’s political, economic, and cultural centre and hosts numerous national institutions, corporate headquarters, and the secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The area that is now Jakarta has been inhabited since at least the early centuries of the Common Era and was historically associated with the port of Sunda Kelapa, which served the Sunda Kingdom. In 1527, the settlement was renamed Jayakarta, following its capture by forces of the Demak Sultanate. The Dutch East India Company later seized the city in 1619 and rebuilt it as Batavia, the administrative centre of the Dutch East Indies for more than three centuries. After the Japanese occupation during the Second World War and Indonesia’s declaration of independence in 1945, the city adopted the name Jakarta and became the national capital of the newly independent republic.

As Indonesia’s principal financial and commercial hub, Jakarta plays a central role in the country’s economy and in regional trade across Southeast Asia. The city hosts the headquarters of major Indonesian corporations, financial institutions, and the Indonesia Stock Exchange, and has developed into a major centre for business, media, and international diplomacy. Rapid urbanisation since the mid-20th century has transformed Jakarta into a vast metropolitan region, attracting migrants from across the Indonesian archipelago and contributing to its position as the country’s most populous city and one of the largest urban economies in the region.

Jakarta is a highly diverse city with no single dominant ethnic group. Its population includes large communities of Javanese, Betawi, Sundanese, Chinese Indonesians, and migrants from many other regions of Indonesia. Indonesian is the official language and the primary means of communication, while Betawi culture reflects the historical blending of local, Chinese, Arab, and European influences that developed during the colonial period. As Indonesia’s former capital and largest metropolis, Jakarta struggles with urban challenges including traffic congestion, air pollution, flooding, and land subsidence, issues that have contributed to the national government’s decision to relocate Indonesia’s future capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan.

Etymology

The area that is now Jakarta has been known by several names throughout its history. Early references to settlements in the area appear in the Tugu inscription from the Tarumanagara kingdom in the 4th century, where the name Sundapura is recorded. In later centuries, the harbour settlement became known as Sunda Kelapa, serving as the principal port of the Sunda Kingdom on the north coast of western Java.

The name Jayakarta was introduced in the 16th century. It derives from the Sanskrit words (Devanagari: जयकर्त), derived from the Sanskrit जय jaya (victorious), and कृत krta (accomplished, acquired), meaning “complete victory” or “victorious deed.” Early European accounts recorded the name in forms such as Jacatra or Jacarta. The name marked the political changes in the region during that period and remained in use until the early 17th century.

In 1619, the Dutch East India Company renamed the city Batavia, after the Batavi, a Germanic tribe whom the Dutch regarded as their ancestral people. The name Batavia remained in official use for more than three centuries during the Dutch colonial period. During the Japanese occupation in the Second World War, the city was briefly renamed ジャカルタ特別市 Jakaruta Tokubetsu-shi ("Jakarta Special City"), after which the Indonesian form Jakarta became the official name following Indonesian independence.

History

Main article: History of Jakarta

For a chronological guide to this subject, see Timeline of Jakarta.

Early settlements and Sunda Kelapa

Further information: Sunda Kelapa

Luso-Sundanese padrão, a monument with a cross of the Order of Christ, commemorating a treaty between Portugal and Hindu Sunda kingdoms

The area that now forms Jakarta has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Archaeological evidence from the Buni culture, which flourished on the north coast of western Java between roughly 400 BC and 100 AD, indicates early settlements in the region. By the 4th century, the area formed part of the Sundanese kingdom of Tarumanagara, one of the earliest Hindu kingdoms in the archipelago. The Tugu inscription, discovered in present-day North Jakarta and dated to around 417 AD, records hydraulic projects undertaken by King Purnawarman, including irrigation and river management works along the Chandrabhaga and Gomati rivers near the kingdom’s capital.

Following the decline of Tarumanagara, the region became part of the Kingdom of Sunda. From the 7th to the early 13th centuries, the port of Sunda Kelapa developed into an important trading centre connected to regional maritime networks. Chinese records such as the Chu-fan-chi, written in the early 13th century, describe the port as a prosperous trading hub under the Srivijaya maritime empire and note that high-quality pepper from Sunda was among its major exports. By the 14th century Sunda Kelapa had become the principal port of the Sunda Kingdom, supporting trade across Southeast Asia.

European involvement in the region began in the early 16th century when Portuguese ships from Malacca arrived in 1513 while searching for new spice routes. In 1522, the Sunda Kingdom concluded an alliance with Portugal, granting permission for the construction of a trading post in order to counter the growing power of the Demak Sultanate in central Java. The arrangement was short-lived, however. In 1527, forces from Demak led by the military commander Fatahillah captured Sunda Kelapa and expelled the Portuguese. The port was renamed Jayakarta and later became a possession of the Banten Sultanate, developing into a significant regional trading centre.

Batavia under Dutch rule

See also: Batavia, Dutch East Indies and List of colonial buildings and structures in Jakarta

The City Hall of Batavia (Stadhuis van Batavia), the seat of the governor-general of the VOC in the late 18th century by Johannes Rach c. 1770. The building now houses the Jakarta History Museum, Jakarta Old Town

Conflict between Prince Jayawikarta of the Banten Sultanate and the Dutch East India Company (VOC) eventually led to the establishment of Dutch control over the city. In 1619, Dutch forces under Jan Pieterszoon Coen captured and destroyed Jayakarta, defeating both Jayawikarta’s troops and their English allies. The Dutch subsequently established a fortified colonial city on the site and renamed it Batavia, which became the administrative centre of the Dutch East Indies.

Batavia developed into a major trading hub within the Dutch colonial empire. Commercial activity attracted migrants from across Asia, including Chinese, Arab, and other trading communities. Rapid population growth, however, also produced social tensions. In 1740, a revolt by Chinese residents led to a violent suppression in which thousands were killed, after which Chinese inhabitants were relocated to the Glodok district outside the city walls. Over time, Batavia continued to expand as trade increased and new immigrant communities settled in the city.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city expanded southward as epidemics and overcrowding in the old port district encouraged new residential developments further inland. Urban planning projects created new districts such as Menteng, developed in the 1910s as a planned residential suburb, while Kebayoran Baru became one of the last major residential areas constructed during the late colonial period. Dutch colonial rule ended in March 1942 when Japanese forces captured the city during the Second World War and renamed it Jakarta (Jakarta Special City (ジャカルタ特別市, Jakaruta tokubetsu-shi), marking the beginning of a new phase in the city’s history.

Jakarta in independent Indonesia

Sukarno reading the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur Number 56, Menteng

Following the end of the Second World War, Indonesian nationalists proclaimed independence on 17 August 1945. In the following month, the administration of the city was reorganised as the Jakarta National Administration. During the Indonesian National Revolution, however, Indonesian republican leaders withdrew from Allied-occupied Jakarta and established their temporary capital in Yogyakarta. After the Netherlands formally recognised Indonesian independence in December 1949, Jakarta resumed its role as the national capital in 1950.

During the presidency of Sukarno, Jakarta was transformed into the symbolic capital of the new nation. Preparations for the 1962 Asian Games prompted large-scale urban development projects that reshaped the city. Major infrastructure and architectural projects included the construction of the National Monument, the Hotel Indonesia complex, new shopping centres, major boulevards such as Jalan MH Thamrin-Sudirman, and the Senayan sports complex. Sukarno envisioned Jakarta as a modern international city that would represent Indonesia’s independence and national identity.

Political tensions reached a turning point in October 1965 when an attempted coup resulted in the killing of six senior army generals, triggering a nationwide anti-communist purge that killed hundreds of thousands of people, and marking the beginning of Suharto's New Order. In 1966, Jakarta was formally designated a Special Capital Region (Daerah Khusus Ibukota, DKI) with administrative status equivalent to a province. During the governorship of Ali Sadikin (1966–1977), the city experienced major urban reforms, including infrastructure improvements, the expansion of hospitals and schools, and cultural development programmes, although large-scale redevelopment projects also displaced many informal settlements.

Jakarta continued to expand rapidly during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Foreign investment during the late New Order period fuelled a major real estate boom, although this growth was interrupted by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, which led to political unrest and riots in 1998 that led to the resignation of President Suharto. In the period that followed, Jakarta remained the centre of Indonesia’s political life and reforms, including the introduction of direct gubernatorial elections in 2007. The city has also experienced sporadic terrorist attacks since the early 2000s. More recently, the Indonesian government announced plans to relocate the national capital to Nusantara, although Jakarta continues to function as the country’s primary political and economic centre.

Geography

Main article: Greater Jakarta

Ancol beach in the Jakarta Bay

Jakarta covers 661.23 square kilometres (255.30 sq mi), making it the smallest province in Indonesia by land area. However, the wider Jakarta metropolitan area covers about 6,392 square kilometres and extends into the neighbouring provinces of West Java and Banten. The metropolitan area includes the regencies of Bekasi, Tangerang, and Bogor, as well as the cities of Bogor, Depok, Bekasi, Tangerang, and South Tangerang.

The city lies on the northwestern coast of Java at the mouth of the Ciliwung River on the Jakarta Bay, an inlet of the Java Sea. The northern part of Jakarta consists largely of low-lying coastal plains, some areas of which are below sea level and therefore prone to flooding, while the southern districts are slightly higher and more hilly. Administratively, Jakarta also includes the Thousand Islands archipelago located in the Jakarta Bay to the north of the mainland city.

Jakarta is situated on a flat alluvial plain with an average elevation of about 8 metres (26 feet) above sea level. Historically, much of the area consisted of swampy land, and parts of the city have been built on reclaimed coastal flats. Thirteen rivers flow through Jakarta from the Puncak highlands in the south towards the Java Sea, including the Ciliwung, Angke, Sunter, and Grogol rivers. These waterways, combined with heavy seasonal rainfall and drainage challenges, contribute to the city’s recurring flooding problems.

Jakarta is also grappling with environmental challenges related to land subsidence and water management. Parts of the city—particularly in northern coastal areas—have been sinking by several centimetres per year, largely due to excessive groundwater extraction and rapid urban development. Flood control projects and coastal protection measures, including dams and sea wall systems in the Jakarta Bay, have been developed to mitigate these risks. Air pollution and river pollution are also significant environmental concerns affecting the city.

Climate

Drizzle in Jakarta

Jakarta has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen: Am), bordering on a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen: Af). The city experiences a long wet season from October to May and a relatively drier season from June to September, although rainfall occurs throughout the year. The heaviest precipitation typically occurs in January and February, when monthly rainfall averages nearly 300 millimetres, while August is usually the driest month.

Seasonal weather patterns contribute to recurring flooding in Jakarta. During the wet season, strong monsoon winds and atmospheric circulation over western Java can intensify rainfall and increase river discharge flowing into the city. Combined with Jakarta’s low-lying geography and dense urban development, these conditions can lead to periodic floods and severe thunderstorms.

Temperatures in Jakarta remain consistently warm throughout the year, with daytime averages typically around 32 °C (89.6 °F) and nighttime temperatures around 24 °C (75.2 °F). Average monthly temperatures vary only slightly, ranging from about 27 °C (80.6 °F) in the coolest months to around 28 °C (82.4 °F) in the warmest months. Recorded extremes range from about 18.9 °C (66.0 °F) to 37.9 °C (100.2 °F).

Climate data for downtown Jakarta (Kemayoran) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1924–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	36.9 (98.4)	35.8 (96.4)	36.0 (96.8)	35.9 (96.6)	36.1 (97.0)	36.3 (97.3)	35.6 (96.1)	35.6 (96.1)	37.1 (98.8)	37.9 (100.2)	37.1 (98.8)	36.7 (98.1)	37.9 (100.2)
Average high °C (°F)	31.0 (87.8)	30.8 (87.4)	32.1 (89.8)	32.8 (91.0)	33.2 (91.8)	32.9 (91.2)	32.7 (90.9)	33.0 (91.4)	33.4 (92.1)	33.4 (92.1)	32.8 (91.0)	32.0 (89.6)	32.5 (90.5)
Daily mean °C (°F)	27.5 (81.5)	27.3 (81.1)	28.0 (82.4)	28.4 (83.1)	28.7 (83.7)	28.4 (83.1)	28.2 (82.8)	28.3 (82.9)	28.6 (83.5)	28.8 (83.8)	28.4 (83.1)	28.0 (82.4)	28.2 (82.8)
Average low °C (°F)	25.2 (77.4)	25.2 (77.4)	25.5 (77.9)	25.6 (78.1)	25.8 (78.4)	25.5 (77.9)	25.3 (77.5)	25.3 (77.5)	25.5 (77.9)	25.6 (78.1)	25.6 (78.1)	25.5 (77.9)	25.5 (77.9)
Record low °C (°F)	20.6 (69.1)	20.6 (69.1)	20.6 (69.1)	20.6 (69.1)	21.1 (70.0)	19.4 (66.9)	19.4 (66.9)	19.4 (66.9)	18.9 (66.0)	20.6 (69.1)	20.0 (68.0)	19.4 (66.9)	18.9 (66.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	373.3 (14.70)	381.4 (15.02)	210.4 (8.28)	164.1 (6.46)	103.2 (4.06)	80.4 (3.17)	77.7 (3.06)	51.5 (2.03)	61.0 (2.40)	112.2 (4.42)	134.8 (5.31)	183.3 (7.22)	1,933.3 (76.11)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	17.5	17.9	14.1	11.5	8.2	6.2	4.8	3.3	4.0	7.4	10.4	12.8	118.1
Average relative humidity (%)	85	85	83	82	82	81	78	76	75	77	81	82	81
Mean monthly sunshine hours	139.5	138.3	189.1	216.0	220.1	219.0	229.4	235.6	225.0	207.7	180.0	148.8	2,348.5
Mean daily sunshine hours	4.5	5.2	6.1	7.2	7.1	7.3	7.4	7.6	7.5	6.7	6.0	4.8	6.5
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization
Source 2: Sistema de Clasificación Bioclimática Mundial, Danish Meteorological Institute (humidity), Deutscher Wetterdienst (daily sun 1889–1921)

Climate data for Jakarta
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average sea temperature °C (°F)	28.0 (82.0)	28.0 (82.0)	29.0 (84.0)	30.0 (86.0)	30.0 (86.0)	29.0 (84.0)	29.0 (84.0)	29.0 (84.0)	29.0 (84.0)	29.0 (84.0)	29.0 (84.0)	29.0 (84.0)	29.0 (84.0)
Mean daily daylight hours	12.0	12.0	12.0	12.0	12.0	12.0	12.0	12.0	12.0	12.0	12.0	12.0	12.0
Average Ultraviolet index	13	13	13	13	11	10	10	12	13	13	13	13	12
Source: Weather Atlas

Cityscape

Panorama of Jakarta as seen from the Monas in a full 360-degree view (river flowing from south-west to north-east, left to right)

Jakarta’s cityscape reflects the city’s historical development and its role as Indonesia’s political and economic centre. The urban landscape combines colonial-era buildings, post-independence monumental architecture, modern high-rise developments, and numerous public squares and parks. Much of the capital’s symbolic architecture and urban planning dates from the mid-twentieth century, when then President Sukarno sought to transform Jakarta into the monumental capital of a newly independent nation.

Several prominent landmarks and monuments were constructed or planned during this period. The most recognisable symbol of the city is the National Monument (Monas), a 132-metre-tall (433-foot) obelisk located in the centre of Merdeka Square. Other notable landmarks include the Istiqlal mosque, Jakarta Cathedral, and the historic Batavia Stadhuis in Jakarta Old Town. Monumental statues and memorials commemorating Indonesian history and national heroes are also prominent features of the city, including the Tugu Tani monument, the Dirgantara Monument, and statues honouring figures such as Diponegoro and Kartini.

Jakarta’s modern skyline has continued to evolve with rapid urban development and the construction of high-rise buildings in the central business districts. Structures such as the Autograph Tower, the tallest building in Indonesia, illustrate the city’s contemporary architectural growth. Alongside these developments, Jakarta also contains numerous parks, squares, and public spaces that form important parts of the urban environment and provide recreational areas for residents.

Architecture

See also: Colonial architecture in Jakarta, List of tallest buildings in Jakarta, and Golden Triangle of Jakarta

Rumah Kebaya built with Betawi architecture at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

Jakarta contains architecturally significant buildings representing a wide range of historical and cultural influences. Architectural styles in the city reflect Malay, Sundanese, Javanese, Arab, Chinese, and Dutch traditions. Traditional Betawi houses, associated with the indigenous Betawi community, illustrate this mixture of influences. These houses were typically constructed using nangka wood (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and commonly consisted of three main rooms. Their roof forms often resemble the traditional Javanese joglo, while features such as wide eaves, large openings, and open layouts were well suited to the tropical climate. The number of officially registered cultural heritage buildings in Jakarta has increased in recent decades as preservation efforts have expanded.

Many historic structures date from the Dutch colonial era, when Batavia served as the administrative centre of the Dutch East Indies. Colonial architecture can generally be divided into three broad phases: the Dutch Golden Age style (17th to late 18th century), a transitional architectural period during the late 18th and 19th centuries, and Dutch modernist architecture of the early 20th century. These buildings include residences, churches, government offices, and commercial structures, many of which remain concentrated in Jakarta Old Town and parts of Central Jakarta. Architects such as J.C. Schultze and Eduard Cuypers designed several notable buildings in the city. Schultze’s works include the Jakarta Art Building, the Supreme Court Building, and the Ministry of Finance Building, while Cuypers designed the Bank Indonesia Museum and Mandiri Museum.

During the early 20th century, architectural styles began to shift toward rationalist and modernist influences, including Art Deco architecture. The Menteng district, developed in the 1910s as a planned residential suburb, represented one of the earliest attempts to create a modern and healthy residential environment for the middle class. Houses in the area were designed with features suited to the tropical climate, including large windows, open ventilation, and overhanging eaves.

Post-Indonesian independence architecture in Jakarta reflected the political and cultural priorities of nation-building. Major infrastructure projects were constructed, particularly during the Sukarno era, including the National Monument and the Senayan Sports Stadium, and a network of arterial roads that helped reshape the city’s urban landscape. The national parliament building, with its distinctive hyperbolic roof, illustrates modernist architectural influences associated with mid-20th century international design. In the 21st century, Jakarta has experienced a rapid urban construction boom, particularly in the Golden Triangle central business district, alongside the rise in skyscrapers.

Parks and public spaces

Ragunan Zoo Park is the largest urban park in Jakarta and the second-largest zoo in the world.

Public parks and green open spaces form an important component of Jakarta’s urban landscape. In June 2011, the city had about 10.5% green open space (ruang terbuka hijau, RTH), which had increased to approximately 13.94% in subsequent years as the municipal government expanded park development and environmental programmes. As part of these efforts, the city has created hundreds of child-friendly integrated public spaces (ruang publik terpadu ramah anak, RPTRA), with about 300 such facilities operating by 2019. In addition to parks, reservoirs and lakes—numbering more than 180 in the wider metropolitan area—also contribute to Jakarta’s environmental infrastructure and flood management system.

One of the most prominent public spaces in the city is Merdeka Square (Medan Merdeka) in Central Jakarta, a nearly one-square-kilometre open field surrounding the National Monument (Monas). Originally developed in the early nineteenth century under Dutch colonial administration as Koningsplein, the square was later redesigned and beautified, including the addition of landscaped areas and symbolic plantings representing Indonesia’s provinces. Another important historical square is Lapangan Banteng, located near Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral. The site served ceremonial functions during the colonial period and now features the West Irian Liberation Monument.

Jakarta also contains numerous urban parks distributed across the city. Suropati Park in Menteng is known for its landscaped gardens and sculptures created by artists from ASEAN countries, while nearby Menteng Park and Situ Lembang Park provide recreational spaces in central residential districts. In Jakarta, parks such as GBK Park, Tebet Eco Park, Bendera Pusaka Park, and Setu Babakan serve as important neighbourhood green spaces. More recent developments include Kalijodo Park in North Jakarta, opened in 2017 with recreational facilities including a skateboard park.

Several larger recreational and environmental areas are also located within the city. Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta is one of the oldest zoos in the world and one of the largest urban parks in the city. Other natural areas include the Muara Angke Wildlife Sanctuary and the Angke Kapuk Nature Tourism Park in North Jakarta. Cultural and recreational complexes such as Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, which features pavilions representing Indonesia’s provinces, also function as major public attractions and green spaces. UI Forest serves as a significant natural reserve and vital ecological area within Jakarta, spanning approximately 100 hectares (250 acres) to provide a sanctuary for over 180 plant species and diverse animal populations.

Demographics

Jakarta population pyramid in 2021

Jakarta has experienced rapid population growth driven largely by migration from across Indonesia. As the country’s political and economic centre, the city attracts residents seeking employment, education, and business opportunities. According to the 1961 census, about 51% of Jakarta’s population had been born in the city, illustrating the long-standing role of migration in shaping its demographic composition.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1945	600,000	—
1950	1,800,000	+200.0%
1960	2,678,740	+48.8%
1970	3,915,406	+46.2%
1980	6,700,000	+71.1%
1990	8,174,756	+22.0%
2000	8,389,759	+2.6%
2010	9,625,579	+14.7%
2020	10,562,088	+9.7%
2025	10,677,975	+1.1%
Note: Census figures cover the actual and projected populations of the largest Asian urban agglomerations. According to the Indonesia Central Bureau of Statistics, 23 per cent of urban residents live in poverty. With a population of 7.9 million in 1985, Jakarta accounted for 19 per cent of the total Indonesia urban population. Source:

Population growth accelerated during the second half of the twentieth century. The population of Jakarta increased from approximately 4.5 million in 1970 to about 9.5 million in 2010, while the wider Jakarta metropolitan region (Greater Jakarta) expanded from roughly 8.2 million to 28.5 million over the same period. Between 1980 and 1990 the city’s population grew at an average annual rate of about 3.7 percent.

By 2014 the population of Jakarta had reached around 10 million, with a population density of about 15,174 people per square kilometre. The population of the Greater Jakarta metropolitan area was estimated at approximately 30 million in the same year, representing around 11 percent of Indonesia’s total population.

Projections suggest that the metropolitan population could reach about 35.6 million by 2030. Administrative population records compiled by the Ministry of Home Affairs estimated Jakarta’s population at 11,261,595 at the end of 2021. The gender ratio was 102.8 males per 100 females in 2010 and about 101.3 in 2014.

Ethnicity

Betawi is the native ethnic group in Jakarta

Jakarta is a highly diverse city and does not have a single majority ethnic group. According to the 2010 census, the largest ethnic group in the city was Javanese, accounting for about 36.17% of the population, followed by Betawi (28.29%), Sundanese (14.61%), Chinese Indonesians (6.62%), and Batak (3.42%). Other communities include Minangkabau, Malays, Madurese, Bugis, Indians, Indo people, and many others from across the Indonesian archipelago.

The Betawi (Orang Betawi), regarded as the indigenous population of Jakarta, developed from the diverse communities that lived in Batavia during the colonial period. They emerged as a distinct ethnic group by the mid-19th century, largely descended from a mixture of Southeast Asian peoples who were brought to or settled in the city to meet labour needs. Over time, Betawi culture incorporated influences from many groups, including Chinese, Arab, and European communities. Many Betawi communities historically lived in areas on the fringes of the colonial city, and today Betawi populations are spread throughout the Jakarta metropolitan area. Because of long-standing patterns of migration and intermarriage with other ethnic groups, Betawi identity often reflects a combination of cultural influences within the city.

Jakarta has also long had a significant Chinese population. Their communities traditionally lived in older urban districts such as Glodok, and parts of Senen and Jatinegara, although today they are distributed more widely throughout the city. Estimates in the early 2000s suggested that Chinese Indonesians accounted for roughly 5–6 percent of Jakarta’s population. Smaller but historically established communities of Indians have also lived in Jakarta for centuries, many of them historically associated with the Pasar Baru district, sometimes referred to as Jakarta’s "Little India."

Migration from other regions of Indonesia has significantly shaped Jakarta’s modern demographics. Large communities of Batak, Minangkabau, and Malay migrants from Sumatra live in the city. According to the 2020 census, Jakarta had approximately 361,000 Batak residents, about 300,960 Minangkabau, and around 101,370 Malays. Toba Batak constitute the largest Batak subgroup in Jakarta, while Minangkabau migrants have historically been prominent in trade and professional occupations within the city.

Language

See also: Betawi language and Indonesian slang

Betawi language, a Malay creole born in Batavia.

Indonesian is the official and dominant language of Jakarta and is widely used in government, education, business, and everyday communication. English is also commonly used, particularly in Central and South Jakarta, where many international businesses and expatriate communities are located. Many residents of Jakarta continue to use their ethnic languages within families and community settings. The Betawi language, associated with the indigenous Betawi community, is a Malay-based creole that developed through centuries of contact among different cultural groups in the city. It incorporates vocabulary from Dutch, Portuguese, Sundanese, Javanese, Chinese, and Arabic. Over time, many Betawi expressions and phrases have entered colloquial Indonesian and are widely used as part of Jakarta’s urban slang.

Chinese Indonesians in Jakarta today mainly speak Indonesian and English, although older generations may also speak Chinese dialects such as Hokkien and other varieties depending on their family background. Migration from Chinese communities in other parts of Indonesia has also introduced dialects such as Hakka, Teochew, and Cantonese into the city’s Chinese community. Hokkien is commonly spoken among residents with roots in Sumatra, particularly in northern districts such as Pantai Indah Kapuk and Pluit, while Hakka and Teochew are often associated with communities originating from West Kalimantan.

Other regional languages of Indonesia are also spoken by migrant communities. Batak residents may speak languages such as Toba Batak, Mandailing, or Karo, while Minangkabau migrants often use the Minangkabau language alongside Indonesian. Sundanese, historically associated with the surrounding region of West Java, is still used by some local communities in Jakarta. It continues to be spoken in several neighbourhoods, particularly in parts of East Jakarta such as Pondok Ranggon and Jatinegara Kaum, where local varieties including Bogor Sundanese and Banten Sundanese are maintained by long-established residents.

Education

See also: List of universities in Indonesia and List of schools in Indonesia

University of Indonesia (UI) campus, formerly used by STOVIA

Jakarta is one of Indonesia's principal centres of higher education and hosts numerous universities and research institutions. The University of Indonesia (UI), the country's largest and one of its oldest universities, maintains campuses in Salemba in Central Jakarta and in nearby Depok. Other public universities located in the city include Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta and the State University of Jakarta (UNJ).

The city is also home to many private universities and colleges. Major institutions include Trisakti University, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Bina Nusantara University, and several others. Vocational higher education institutions, such as Jakarta State Polytechnic, also operate in the city. Modern higher education in Jakarta traces its origins to STOVIA (School tot Opleiding van Indische Artsen), established in 1851 during the Dutch colonial era to train indigenous physicians. Today Jakarta attracts students from across Indonesia, many of whom reside in dormitories, rented accommodation, or home-stay residences while pursuing their studies.

For primary and secondary education, Jakarta offers a wide range of public and private schools, including bilingual and international institutions. Several international schools operate in the Jakarta metropolitan area, such as the Jakarta Intercultural School, Australian Independent School, GMIS Jakarta, and the French School Jakarta, among others.

Religion

Religion in Jakarta (2024 Census)

1. Islam (83.8%)
2. Protestantism (8.56%)
3. Roman catholic (3.89%)
4. Buddhism (3.46%)
5. Hinduism, Confucianism, and others (0.75%)

Religion plays an important role in Jakarta's social and cultural life. As of 2024, Islam is the dominant religion in the city , followed by Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism (1%), with small numbers of residents adhering to other faiths or traditional belief systems.

Islamic educational and religious institutions are widely present in the city. Many pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) in Jakarta are affiliated with the traditionalist organisation Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), while modernist Islamic institutions serve urban communities through educational and social programmes. Several major Islamic organisations, including the NU, Muhammadiyah, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), and the Indonesia Institute of Islamic Dawah, maintain headquarters in Jakarta.

Christian communities form the second-largest religious group in the city. The Roman Catholic Church is administered by the Archdiocese of Jakarta, which forms part of an ecclesiastical province that also includes West Java and Banten. Protestant denominations are represented by numerous churches throughout the city. Jakarta also has significant Buddhist communities, many of whom are Chinese Indonesians. Various traditions of Buddhism are practised in the city, including Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Tridharma. Smaller religious communities include Hindus—mainly of Balinese and Indian origin—as well as Sikh and Baháʼí communities.

Economy

See also: Category:Companies of Indonesia.

Jakarta GDP share by sector (2022)

1. Service (75.9%)
2. Manufacturing (12.3%)
3. Other Industrial (11.7%)
4. Agriculture (0.08%)

As the capital and largest city of Indonesia, Jakarta serves as the economic centre of the country and one of the principal financial hubs of Southeast Asia. Indonesia is the largest economy in the ASEAN, and Jakarta plays a central role in the national economy. In 2021, the city’s nominal gross regional product was estimated at US$203.7 billion, or about 17% of Indonesia’s gross domestic product, while its purchasing power parity GDP was estimated at US$602.9 billion. The city’s nominal GDP per capita was estimated at Rp 274.7 million (US$19,199) in the same year.

SCBD is a business centre in Jakarta

Jakarta’s economy is dominated by the service sector, particularly finance, trade, and business services, which together account for a large share of the city’s gross regional product. Other important sectors include manufacturing industries such as electronics, automotive production, chemicals, mechanical engineering, and biomedical industries. Finance, ownership and business services form the largest contributor to Jakarta’s economy, followed by trade, hospitality, and manufacturing.

The city hosts the headquarters of many major Indonesian corporations and financial institutions. Bank Indonesia and the Indonesia Stock Exchange are located in Jakarta, and numerous state-owned enterprises—including Pertamina, PLN, and Telkomsel—maintain their head offices in the city. Large Indonesian conglomerates such as Salim Group, Astra International, and CT Corp are also headquartered there. Jakarta has also emerged as a centre for technology and digital industries, with global companies such as Google and Alibaba establishing regional cloud infrastructure in the city.

Economic growth and investment have contributed to Jakarta’s rapid urban development. In 2017, the city recorded economic growth of 6.22%, while total investment reached Rp 108.6 trillion (US$8 billion). Jakarta is also home to several large publicly listed companies and technology start-ups, including firms ranked in the Forbes Global 2000 and Fortune 500.

Jakarta’s economic landscape also reflects the city’s role as Indonesia’s principal commercial centre. Modern shopping malls and traditional markets form an important part of the urban retail economy, while the tourism sector contributes to municipal revenue through business travel, conventions, and domestic tourism. Rising demand for housing and commercial space has also driven a strong property market, particularly in central business districts, contributing to increasing land prices and living costs in the city.

Shopping

See also: List of shopping malls in Jakarta

Grand Indonesia shopping mall

Jakarta is one of Southeast Asia’s largest retail centres and is known for its extensive network of shopping malls and traditional markets. As of the mid-2010s, the city had one of the largest total shopping mall floor areas among cities worldwide. Major shopping centres are concentrated in commercial districts such as Central Jakarta and South Jakarta, where large complexes including Sarinah, Grand Indonesia and Plaza Senayan serve as prominent retail and entertainment hubs.

In addition to modern malls, Jakarta maintains a long tradition of traditional markets (pasar), which continue to play an important role in the city’s retail economy. Well-known markets such as Tanah Abang, Pasar Baru, and Glodok sell a wide variety of textiles, clothing, household goods, and food products. Some markets specialise in particular items, including antique goods sold along Jalan Surabaya and gemstones traded at Rawabening Market.

Tourism

Further information: Tourism in Indonesia, List of museums and cultural institutions in Indonesia, and Jakarta Tourism and Culture Office

Pulau Bidadari (Heavenly Nymph island) is one of the Thousand Islands scattered around the sea of Jakarta

The Ismail Marzuki Park is the most popular museum in Jakarta, there are several libraries, theatres, and Betawi performance arts

Although Jakarta is not traditionally considered Indonesia’s primary international tourist destination, the city functions as the country’s primary gateway and an important urban tourism centre. Many international visitors pass through Jakarta while travelling to other Indonesian destinations such as Bali, the Komodo Island, and Yogyakarta. In 2023, approximately 1.97 million foreign tourists visited the city, while domestic tourism accounts for a large share of overall visitor numbers.

International tourism rankings have identified Jakarta as a rapidly growing destination. According to the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, the city was among the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the world, while the World Travel and Tourism Council has also classified Jakarta as an emerging tourism market with strong projected growth in visitor arrivals. Euromonitor International’s 2019 ranking placed Jakarta among the 100 most visited cities globally.

The city government has sought to expand tourism through the development of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism, as well as through cultural festivals and large international events. The tourism sector contributes to Jakarta’s economy and municipal revenue, stemming from the city’s role as Indonesia’s principal commercial and transportation hub.

Culture

As the capital and largest city of Indonesia, Jakarta is a major centre of cultural exchange and diversity. The city’s population includes people from across the Indonesian archipelago, making its cultural life a mixture of traditions, languages, and customs originating from many regions of the country. Although the Betawi people are regarded as Jakarta’s indigenous community, the city’s culture has been shaped by successive waves of migration and interaction among different ethnic groups. Javanese form the largest ethnic group in the capital, followed by Betawi and Sundanese communities, alongside numerous other groups from throughout Indonesia. This diversity is reflected in Jakarta’s arts, festivals, media, cuisine, and sporting life.

Arts and festivals

Ondel-ondel puppets are the mascot of the city and the symbol of Betawi culture.

Jakarta’s artistic and cultural life is closely linked to Betawi culture, the traditional culture of the city’s indigenous community. Betawi culture developed through centuries of interaction among Malay, Sundanese, Javanese, Chinese, Arab, Indian, and European influences, producing distinctive traditions in language, music, cuisine, and ceremonial practices. Chinese cultural influence is particularly visible in Betawi festivals, wedding traditions, and culinary customs.

Tanjidor music demonstrates European influence.

Efforts to preserve and promote Betawi arts and traditions are reflected in several community festivals held in different parts of the city, including the Jalan Jaksa Festival, Condet Festival, and Lebaran Betawi. Cultural traditions are also maintained through local celebrations such as the Sedekah Bumi Keramat Ganceng Festival in Pondok Ranggon. These events often feature traditional music, dance performances, and exhibitions of Betawi cultural heritage.

Jakarta has numerous venues dedicated to performing arts and cultural exhibitions. Major cultural centres include the Taman Ismail Marzuki arts complex in Cikini, Gedung Kesenian Jakarta near Pasar Baru, and Aula Simfonia Jakarta in Kemayoran. Other venues such as Balai Sarbini, Bentara Budaya Jakarta, and the Pasar Seni art market in Ancol host exhibitions, concerts, and theatrical performances. Traditional Indonesian performing arts, including wayang puppet theatre and gamelan music, are regularly staged in various venues across the city, including the Wayang Orang Bharata Theatre and cultural pavilions at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah.

The city also hosts numerous cultural festivals and exhibitions throughout the year. These include film events such as the Jakarta International Film Festival (JiFFest), as well as large cultural gatherings such as Jakarta Fashion Week, the Jakarta Fashion & Food Festival, and the Jakarta Fair. Other major events include the Indonesia International Book Fair, Indonesia Comic Con, and Art Jakarta, an annual contemporary art fair. The Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival, held each year in March, is one of the largest jazz festivals in the world.

Jakarta’s cultural landscape is further enriched by the presence of international cultural centres that promote language and the arts. Institutions such as the French Institut Français d'Indonésie, the German Goethe Institut, the Japan Foundation, the British Council and the Dutch Erasmus Huis organise exhibitions, performances, and educational programmes that contribute to the city’s cosmopolitan cultural environment.

Cuisine

Main article: Betawi cuisine

Soto Betawi, mainly consisting of beef or offal in milk or coconut milk soup.

Jakarta’s culinary culture reflects the city’s long history as a meeting point of diverse ethnic and cultural influences. While dishes from across Indonesia are widely available in the capital, the traditional local cuisine is Betawi cuisine, which developed among the Betawi people and incorporates influences from Malay-Chinese Peranakan cuisine, Sundanese, Javanese, Indian, Arab, and European culinary traditions. One of the best-known Betawi dishes is Soto Betawi, a rich soup made with beef and offal cooked in a spiced broth of coconut milk or cow’s milk. Other traditional dishes include ketoprak, rujak, and Betawi-style gado-gado.

As Indonesia’s largest city, Jakarta is also known for its vibrant street food culture. Food travelling vendors and small roadside eateries (warung) serve a wide variety of dishes throughout the city, ranging from common Indonesian foods such as nasi goreng (fried rice), sate (skewered meats), and bakso (meatballs) to snacks such as bakpau (Chinese bun) and siomay (fish dumplings). Culinary traditions from other Indonesian regions are also strongly represented; for example, Padang restaurants serving Minangkabau cuisine and warteg (short for warung tegal) food stalls offering inexpensive home-style meals are widespread in Jakarta.

Several districts of the city are known for their concentrations of street food stalls, restaurants, and cafés, including areas such as Sabang Street, Blok M, and Kota Tua. Chinese culinary traditions are especially prominent in parts of West Jakarta, particularly around Glodok and Mangga Besar, while the Blok M area has developed a reputation for Japanese restaurants and nightlife venues. The city government has also established organised food courts such as Lenggang Jakarta and Thamrin 10, which provide spaces for small vendors and street-food traders.

Jakarta’s dining scene ranges from modest street vendors to upscale restaurants and international chains. Local restaurant brands such as Bakmi GM, D'Cost, Es Teler 77 and Sederhana operate alongside global fast-food outlets in shopping centres across the city. Owing to Jakarta’s cosmopolitan population, restaurants serving international cuisines—including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Turkish, Middle Eastern, American, European, and other Asian cuisines—are widely available throughout the capital.

Sports

Jakarta International Stadium at Tanjung Priok. It is the home of Persija F.C. and has a seating capacity of 82,000. It is Indonesia's biggest stadium.

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Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, home of the Indonesia Indonesia national football team, has a seating capacity of 78,000. It is Indonesia's second-biggest stadium.

Istora Gelora Bung Karno, home of the Indonesia national badminton team, has a capacity of 8,000 seats.

Indonesia Arena, is the fields that can be used for Basketball, Volleyball, and Badminton

Jakarta has hosted numerous major international sporting events and serves as one of Indonesia’s principal centres for sport. The city hosted the 1962 Asian Games, and co-hosted the 2018 Asian Games with Palembang. It has also hosted the Southeast Asian Games several times, including in 1979, 1987, 1997, and 2011. Major football tournaments have also taken place in the city; the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium was one of the venues for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, hosting group-stage matches as well as the quarter-final and final. Following the success of the 2018 Asian Games, Jakarta submitted a bid to host the 2032 Summer Olympics, although the Games were ultimately awarded to Brisbane.

The city contains several large sporting venues and complexes. The Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan is Jakarta’s main sporting hub and includes facilities for football, athletics, aquatic sports, tennis, and indoor arena sports. Other major venues include the Jakarta International Stadium, a retractable-roof football stadium completed in 2022, the Jakarta International Velodrome in Rawamangun, and the Jakarta International Equestrian Park in Pulomas, both of which were developed or renovated for the 2018 Asian Games. Indoor arenas such as the BritAma Arena and facilities in Kelapa Gading are also used for national basketball competitions and other sporting events.

Football is the most popular sport in Jakarta. The city’s main professional club is Persija, which competes in Indonesia’s top football league, Liga 1, while Persitara plays in the lower-tier Liga 3. Jakarta also hosts large-scale sporting events such as the Jakarta Marathon, established in 2013 and recognised by international athletics organisations, attracting thousands of participants from many countries each year.

In addition to professional sports, recreational and community sporting activities are common in the city. One well-known example is the Jakarta Car-Free Day, held regularly on major central avenues such as Jalan Sudirman and Jalan Thamrin, when sections of the roads are closed to motor vehicles. During these events, residents participate in activities such as jogging, cycling, aerobics, and other outdoor sports. Jakarta has also hosted international motorsport events, including the Formula E Jakarta ePrix, first held in 2022 at the Ancol Circuit, North Jakarta.

Media and entertainment

The main TV tower of TVRI at its headquarters in Jakarta

See also: List of newspapers in Indonesia, List of radio stations in Jakarta, and List of television stations in Indonesia

Jakarta is the centre of Indonesia’s national media industry and hosts most of the country’s major newspapers, broadcasters, and publishing companies. Several national newspapers are based in the city, including Kompas and Media Indonesia, while local newspapers such as Pos Kota and Warta Kota focus primarily on news and events within the capital. A number of specialised publications are also produced in Jakarta, including business newspapers such as Bisnis Indonesia and Investor Daily, as well as the sports newspaper Super Ball.

The city is also home to several newspapers published in foreign languages for national and international audiences. English-language publications include The Jakarta Post and the online news outlet The Jakarta Globe. Chinese-language newspapers such as Harian Indonesia (印尼星洲日报), and Guoji Ribao (国际日报) circulate among the Indonesian Chinese community, while the Japanese-language newspaper The Daily Jakarta Shimbun (じゃかるた新聞) serves Japanese readers in Indonesia.

Radio broadcasting remains an important part of Jakarta’s media landscape. Dozens of stations operate in the metropolitan area, including both public and private networks. National radio networks based in Jakarta include Prambors FM, Hard Rock FM, and Delta FM, while public broadcasting services are provided by Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI). Local stations such as Gen FM and Radio Elshinta also broadcast from the city.

Jakarta is likewise the headquarters of Indonesia’s public television broadcaster TVRI and several private national television networks, including Metro TV, tvOne, Kompas TV, and RCTI. The city also has local television stations such as TVRI Jakarta, JakTV, and Elshinta TV. In recent years, Indonesia has begun transitioning from analogue broadcasting to digital television using the DVB-T2 standard as part of a nationwide digital migration programme.

Government and politics

Main article: Governor of Jakarta

Jakarta City Hall

Jakarta has a special administrative status equivalent to that of a province within Indonesia. The provincial government is led by a directly elected governor and vice governor, while legislative authority is exercised by the Jakarta Regional People's Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah, DPRD DKI Jakarta), whose members are elected through provincial elections. The governor’s office and main administrative headquarters are located at the Jakarta City Hall, south of Merdeka Square.

The provincial administration oversees five administrative cities (kota administrasi)—Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, South Jakarta, East Jakarta, and North Jakarta—and one administrative regency, the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu). Each administrative city is headed by a mayor (walikota) and the regency by a regent (bupati), all of whom are appointed by the governor rather than directly elected. These administrative units are further divided into districts (kecamatan).

At the national level, Jakarta is represented in Indonesia’s national legislature. The province elects 21 members to the People's Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, DPR) from three electoral districts. Jakarta I corresponds to East Jakarta, Jakarta II includes Central and South Jakarta together with Indonesian voters residing overseas, and Jakarta III comprises North and West Jakarta as well as the Thousand Islands. Like all Indonesian provinces, Jakarta also sends four representatives to the Regional Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah, DPD), the upper chamber of parliament.

The provincial government has also promoted digital governance initiatives. One example is the Jakarta Smart City (JSC) programme, launched in 2014 to improve urban management through data integration, online services, and mobile applications aimed at enhancing public services, mobility, environmental monitoring, and civic participation.

Public safety

The Headquarters of Polda Metro Jaya

Public safety in Jakarta is primarily the responsibility of the Greater Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police (Polda Metro Jaya), which oversees law enforcement across the Jakarta metropolitan area. It is led by a two-star police general (Kapolda Metro Jaya). The Indonesian Army, led by a Major General (Pangdam Jaya), also maintains a regional command in the city, the Jayakarta Military Regional Command (Kodam Jaya), which functions as part of the national defence structure and supports security operations in coordination with civilian authorities when required.

Municipal finances

Jakarta’s provincial government relies heavily on transfers from the national government for much of its revenue. Locally generated income is derived mainly from taxes, including vehicle ownership and vehicle transfer fees. Despite significant fiscal resources, the provincial administration often records budget surpluses—typically between 15 and 20 percent of planned spending—largely due to delays in procurement and other administrative inefficiencies.

Public expenditure has prioritised sectors such as education, transportation infrastructure, flood control, environmental management, and social services including healthcare and housing. Jakarta’s regional budget (Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Daerah, APBD) has grown steadily in recent years, reaching approximately Rp77.1 trillion in 2017, Rp83.2 trillion in 2018, and Rp89 trillion in 2019.

Administrative divisions

See also: List of districts of Jakarta

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Map of the administrative cities (Kota administratif) in Jakarta province; the Thousand Islands Regency (which is to the north) is shown in the inset to the lower left.

Jakarta is divided into five administrative cities (Kota Administratif) and one administrative regency (Kabupaten Administratif), each headed by a mayor or regent. Unlike other Indonesian municipalities, these administrative divisions do not have their own local legislatures and remain directly subordinate to the provincial government of Jakarta. Each administrative city is further divided into districts (Kecamatan).

The five administrative cities are Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, South Jakarta, East Jakarta, and North Jakarta, while the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) form the province’s sole administrative regency. Central Jakarta is the smallest of the municipalities and serves as the political and administrative centre of the capital, containing major national landmarks such as the National Monument (Monas), Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral, and several national museums.

West Jakarta has a high concentration of small-scale industries and contains parts of Jakarta Old Town, including Dutch colonial era buildings such as Toko Merah and structures displaying Chinese architectural influence. South Jakarta, originally planned as a satellite city, has developed into an important commercial and affluent residential area, hosting major shopping centres and parts of Jakarta’s central business district, including the Golden Triangle around Kebayoran Baru and Setiabudi.

East Jakarta is characterised by large industrial zones and several major facilities, including Taman Mini Indonesia Indah and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport. North Jakarta borders the Java Sea and contains the Port of Tanjung Priok, Indonesia’s busiest seaport, as well as the Ancol Dreamland tourism complex. The Thousand Islands regency consists of more than one hundred small islands in the Java Sea and is known for its marine ecosystems and tourism activities such as diving and island recreation.

Jakarta's cities/municipalities (Kota Administratif)

Name of City or Regency	Area in km2	Pop'n 2010 census	Pop'n 2020 census	Pop'n mid 2025 estimate	Pop'n density (per km2) in mid 2025	HDI 2021 estimates
South Jakarta	144.942	2,062,232	2,226,812	2,219,225	15,311	0.849 (Very High)
East Jakarta	185.538	2,693,896	3,037,139	3,085,058	16,628	0.829 (Very High)
Central Jakarta	47.565	902,973	1,056,896	1,038,396	21,831	0.815 (Very High)
West Jakarta	124.970	2,281,945	2,434,511	2,487,199	19,902	0.817 (Very High)
North Jakarta	147.212	1,645,659	1,778,981	1,819,009	12,356	0.805 (Very High)
Thousand Islands	10.725	21,082	27,749	29,088	2,712	0.721 (High)

Infrastructure

Jakarta has undertaken major infrastructure development projects aimed at improving urban livability and addressing long-standing challenges such as traffic congestion, flooding, and inadequate public services. One large-scale initiative is a ten-year urban regeneration programme valued at approximately Rp571 trillion (US$40.5 billion), which focuses on expanding public transportation, improving clean water and wastewater systems, upgrading housing, and strengthening flood-control infrastructure.

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Jakarta

Various means of public transport in Jakarta; from top up to down: KRL Commuterline, Jakarta MRT, Jabodebek LRT, Soekarno–Hatta Airport Rail Link, Jakarta LRT, and Transjakarta

Transportation in Jakarta reflects the scale and density of the Greater Jakarta metropolitan area, which has a population of more than 40 million. Although the city historically prioritized road development to accommodate private vehicles, recent policies have increasingly focused on expanding public transportation and improving mobility. Jakarta received the 2021 Global Sustainable Transport Award in recognition of efforts to integrate its public transit system, though transport infrastructure continues to grapple with keeping pace with population growth.

Road transport remains dominant in the city. Jakarta’s road system includes an extensive toll road network consisting of inner and outer ring roads and several radial expressways connecting the city with surrounding regions. Traffic congestion has long remained a significant problem, and policies such as the "odd–even" vehicle restriction system have been introduced to limit road use by private cars on certain days as a transitional measure before the planned implementation of electronic road pricing.

Public transportation has expanded significantly since the 2010s and now includes several mass transit systems serving the wider metropolitan area. These include the TransJakarta bus rapid transit system, the Jakarta MRT and LRT, the KRL Commuterline suburban railway, and the Soekarno–Hatta Airport Rail Link. Transit-oriented developments such as Dukuh Atas and CSW–ASEAN have been built to improve integration between different transport modes. By 2023, public transport services covered approximately 86% of the city, with a target of reaching 95%.

Jakarta is served by several major transportation hubs. Soekarno–Hatta International Airport is the main gateway for air travel to the Greater Jakarta region, while Halim Perdanakusuma Airport handles limited domestic and private flights. The city’s principal seaport is Tanjung Priok, Indonesia’s busiest port, which connects Jakarta with other parts of the archipelago. Smaller ports such as Sunda Kelapa and Muara Angke support traditional shipping and ferry services, including connections to the Thousand Islands.

Healthcare

Jakarta has an extensive healthcare system consisting of both public and private facilities. In 2012, then Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo introduced the 'Healthy Jakarta Card' (Kartu Jakarta Sehat, KJS), a regional universal healthcare programme aimed at expanding access to medical services for residents. In January 2014, the Indonesian government launched a nationwide universal healthcare system known as the 'National Health Insurance' (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional, JKN), administered by the Social Security Agency on Health (BPJS Kesehatan). The Jakarta programme was later integrated into the national scheme, and KJS cards remained valid until 2018. As of 2021, approximately 85.55% of Jakarta's population was covered by the JKN programme.

Public healthcare facilities in the city include major government-run hospitals such as the Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital, as well as community hospitals and local public health centres (puskesmas). While public hospitals generally provide a good standard of care, they are often overcrowded due to high demand. Private hospitals and clinics also play an important role in Jakarta’s healthcare system. The sector has expanded since 2010, when the Indonesian government allowed foreign investment in private healthcare services. Some facilities are operated by nonprofit or religious organisations, while many others are run by private hospital groups such as Siloam, Pondok Indah Hospital Group, and Mitra Keluarga.

Water supply

Further information: Water privatisation in Jakarta

Jakarta’s piped water supply is operated through a concession system involving private companies and a public asset holder. Since 1998, two private operators—PALYJA and Aetra—have provided piped water services in the western and eastern parts of the city respectively under concession agreements, while the infrastructure is owned by the public company PAM Jaya. Much of the city’s water supply originates from the West Tarum Canal system, which carries water from the Jatiluhur reservoir on the Citarum River, about 70 km (43 mi) southeast of Jakarta. The water supply system was originally privatised in 1998, when concessions were granted to the French company Suez Environnement and the British company Thames Water. These companies later transferred their stakes to Indonesian operators. During the early years of the concession system, customer growth was slower than expected, partly due to tariff increases adjusted for inflation. Tariffs were later frozen in 2005, which reduced investment by private operators.

Access to piped water has improved over time but remains uneven across the city. According to PALYJA data, service coverage in western Jakarta increased from about 34% in 1998 to 65% in 2010, while access in eastern Jakarta rose from roughly 57% in 1998 to around 67% in 2004 before stagnating. However, some independent studies have estimated much lower levels of direct household access, with figures as low as 25% in 2005 and 18.5% in 2011. Many residents without piped water rely on groundwater wells, which are often saline or contaminated. As of 2017, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reported that Jakarta was facing a significant clean water crisis.

International relations

See also: List of diplomatic missions in Jakarta

Jakarta's role as Indonesia’s capital and largest city extends far beyond domestic governance, positioning the city as a primary geopolitical and diplomatic hub within the Indo-Pacific region. By hosting a vast concentration of foreign embassies, the city serves as the essential point of contact for international relations, while its status as the permanent headquarters for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cements its reputation as the "diplomatic capital of Southeast Asia." This institutional presence grants Jakarta significant influence over regional policy-making and economic cooperation.

Furthermore, the city’s global footprint is expanded through its active membership in specialized international networks that address modern urban challenges. Participation in the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group demonstrates a commitment to global environmental standards and climate resilience, while involvement in the Asian Network of Major Cities 21 and the ASEAN Smart Cities Network facilitates the exchange of technological innovation and infrastructure strategies. Collectively, these affiliations transform Jakarta from a local metropolis into a collaborative player on the world stage, deeply integrated into global efforts regarding sustainability, urban development, and regional security.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Indonesia

Jakarta signed sister city agreements with other cities, including Casablanca. To promote friendship between the two cities, the main avenue famous for its shopping and business centres was named after Jakarta's Moroccan sister city. No street in Casablanca is named after Jakarta. However, the Moroccan capital city of Rabat has an avenue named after Sukarno, Indonesia's first president, to commemorate his visit in 1960 and as a token of friendship.

Jakarta's sister cities are:

• Bangkok, Thailand
• Beijing, China
• Berlin, Germany
• Casablanca, Morocco
• East Jerusalem, Palestine
• Hanoi, Vietnam
• Islamabad, Pakistan
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• Kyiv, Ukraine
• Los Angeles, United States
• Maputo, Mozambique
• Mumbai, India
• Moscow, Russia
• Pyongyang, North Korea
• Seoul, South Korea
• Shanghai, China
• Tokyo, Japan

Jakarta also has established a partnership with Rotterdam, especially on integrated urban water management, including capacity-building and knowledge exchange. This cooperation is mainly because both cities are dealing with similar problems; they lie in low-lying flat plains and are prone to flooding. Additionally, they have both implemented drainage systems involving canals, dams and pumps vital for both cities for below-sea-level areas.

In addition to its sister cities, Jakarta cooperates with:

• Arkansas, United States
• Budapest, Hungary
• New South Wales, Australia
• New York, United States
• Paris, France
• Rotterdam, Netherlands

Notable people

Main category: People from Jakarta

See also

• Betawi people
• Climate change in Indonesia
• Greater Jakarta
• List of tallest buildings in Jakarta
• Outline of Jakarta
• Transport in Jakarta

External links

• jakarta.go.id
• Jakarta Archived 16 November 2021 at the Wayback Machine (official travel website)
• Geographic data related to Jakarta at OpenStreetMap