Indonesians

Indonesians are the citizens and people of Indonesia, a sovereign nation located in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelagic country comprising thousands of islands, with Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi, and New Guinea among the largest. The population is highly diverse, encompassing hundreds of ethnic groups and languages. The Javanese are the largest ethnic group, followed by Sundanese, Batak, Madurese, Minangkabau, and many others.

Indonesian, or Bahasa Indonesia, is the official language and serves as a lingua franca across such linguistic diversity; numerous regional languages remain in daily use. Religions practiced include Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and traditional beliefs; the constitution guarantees freedom of religion, though practice varies locally.

Indonesia has a pluralistic political culture and a constitutional democracy. The country is a unitary state with a presidential system; the president is both head of state and government. The motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika expresses the idea of unity in diversity. The capital and largest city is Jakarta.

Economically, Indonesia has a diverse and developing economy with abundant natural resources and a growing manufacturing and services sector. It is a member of the G20. The Indonesian diaspora is present in many countries and contributes to various sectors worldwide.

Indonesians participate in varied cultural expressions, including traditional music such as gamelan, dance forms, crafts, and cuisine with regional specialties, reflecting the country’s diverse heritage.