Growth without gain: Why Indonesians don't feel the economy

Growth without gain: Why Indonesians don't feel the economy

While Indonesia's headline GDP suggests an economic triumph, a deeper look at GNP reveals a hollow growth, where wealth flows outward rather than into households. The country’s impressive statistics are failing to move the needle for the middle class and the informal workers who anchor the economy.

<Growth without gain: Why Indonesians don't feel the economy - Academia - The Jakarta Post>

Batam economy surges 7.49% yoy in Q4 2025, outpacing provincial growth

Batam economy surges 7.49% yoy in Q4 2025, outpacing provincial growth

The economy of Batam continued to show strong momentum toward the end of 2025, with economic growth reaching 7.49 percent year-on-year (yoy) in the fourth quarter (Q4), the highest among regions in Riau Islands province.

<Batam economy surges 7.49% yoy in Q4 2025, outpacing provincial growth - Economy - The Jakarta Post>

Why we cannot afford to neglect the urban middle class

Why we cannot afford to neglect the urban middle class

As national policies pivot toward rural and lower-income support, the urban middle class is being left out in the cold, squeezed by stagnant wages and rising costs, creating a "quiet frustration" that could pose a systemic risk to economic and political stability.

<Why we cannot afford to neglect the urban middle class - Academia - The Jakarta Post>

2025 GDP growth misses target

2025 GDP growth misses target

Economic growth improved slightly last year but failed to meet the government's target set out in the state budget.

<2025 GDP growth misses target - Economy - The Jakarta Post>

Indonesia's GDP grows 5% in quarter but household consumption slows further

Indonesia's GDP grows 5% in quarter but household consumption slows further

Finance minister expects economy to pick up in final quarter with more manufacturing orders

<Indonesia's GDP grows 5% in quarter but household consumption slows further - Nikkei Asia>

Purbayanomics and the Rp 200 trillion question

Purbayanomics and the Rp 200 trillion question

Stimulus drawn from reserves can jolt the economy today, but it also narrows Indonesia's room for maneuver tomorrow. 

<Purbayanomics and the Rp 200 trillion question - Academia - The Jakarta Post>

Indonesian economy suffers heavy losses from riots

Indonesian economy suffers heavy losses from riots

Retailers have suffered an estimated Rp 500 billion (US$33 million) in lost sales over five days of unrest, while small businesses saw revenue plunge by up to 90 percent as demonstrations disrupted operations and supply chains.

<Indonesian economy suffers heavy losses from riots - Economy - The Jakarta Post>

Tariff jitters, rising rivals threaten RI's foreign investment charm

Tariff jitters, rising rivals threaten RI's foreign investment charm

Analysts suggested that Indonesia scale up production to attract more manufacturers seeking new destinations, which could spur corporate investment and growth in the country.

<Tariff jitters, rising rivals threaten RI's foreign investment charm - Economy - The Jakarta Post>

Indonesia's silvermen beg to make ends meet

Indonesia's silvermen beg to make ends meet

On a rainy day in Jakarta, three men coated in metallic paint known as the "manusia silver", or silvermen, brave the elements at an intersection near a mall to ask drivers for change.

<Indonesia's silvermen beg to make ends meet - Jakarta - The Jakarta Post>

Prabowo's economic policies put investors on edge

Prabowo's economic policies put investors on edge

National Economic Council (DEN) member Chatib Basri acknowledges that the current administration has little room to boost growth through monetary or fiscal policy, making structural reform the only viable option.

<https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2025/02/27/prabowos-economic-policies-put-investors-on-edge.html>

Indonesia's vast resources and population could be its bane

Indonesia's vast resources and population could be its bane

Country needs to develop manufacturing to achieve its economic ambitions

<https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Comment/Indonesia-s-vast-resources-and-population-could-be-its-bane>

Indonesia's economy suffers from 'long COVID' as middle class shrinks

Indonesia's economy suffers from 'long COVID' as middle class shrinks

Key growth driver has yet to recover from pandemic, statistics agency says

<https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Indonesia-s-economy-suffers-from-long-COVID-as-middle-class-shrinks>

Informality in Indonesia and middle-income trap

Informality in Indonesia and middle-income trap

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia progressed positively by driving down workers in the informal sector from 65 percent in 2007 to 56 percent in 2019. The tide has turned because of the pandemic, and as a result, the number of informal workers jumped to almost 80 million workers, or 59 percent of total employment in 2023.

<https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2024/08/07/informality-in-indonesia-and-middle-income-trap.html>

Indonesia's economy grew 5.05% in Q2

Indonesia's economy grew 5.05% in Q2

Southeast Asian nation's GDP expands as holiday demand, foreign tourists spur growth

<https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Indonesia-s-economy-grew-5.05-in-Q2>

Moving forward together toward Golden Indonesia 2045

Moving forward together toward Golden Indonesia 2045

Japan promotes cooperation on not only infrastructure but also improvements in living standards, environmental measures, reduction in disparities and human resource development.

<https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2024/07/15/moving-forward-together-toward-golden-indonesia-2045.html>

Advent of the Era of the AEC and Its Impacts on Singapore and Indonesia(17)

Comparative Study on the Perception and Response of Singapore and Indonesia

Though all the ASEAN members have been closely related with each other over history, each country shows different interests in the era of the AEC. This is mainly because 10 countries aren't in an identical economic situation. 

Components of a national economy such as natural resource reserves, labor force abundancy, industrial structure and infrastructure condition are all dissimilar, more or less. This disparity inevitably results in economic gap among the ASEAN members. 

 

Why Indonesia?(6)

Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia

This is where 'Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia' initiates. This book aims to introduce still-unfamiliar Indonesia to South Korea in an easy way. 3-year-long experience in Indonesia mixed with curiosity of a former journalist produced 35 stories over Indonesian politics, economy, society and culture. 

Major cities in Java Island like Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Jogjakarta, Solo(Surakarta) and Bali Island are touched upon, too. 

Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia(5)

An Overview of Indonesia 

Against this background, it is a pity that Indonesia hasn't been properly presented to South Koreans yet. Publications on Indonesia have mostly been focusing on tourism to Bali or Indonesian language learning. This is where 'Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia' initiates.

This book aims to introduce still-unfamiliar Indonesia to South Korea in an easy way. 3-year-long experience in Indonesia mixed with curiosity of a former journalist produced 35 stories over Indonesian politics, economy, society and culture. 

Walking around Cafes in Indonesia(3)

Introduction of Indonesian Cafes

Cafes in Jakarta, center of the nation's politics and economy, and cafes in Surabaya and Bandung, respectively 2^nd and 3^rd biggest city of Indonesia are included. 

Cafes in Bali, world-famous holiday island, and in Tokyo, Japan are touched upon as well. 'Walking around Cafes in Indonesia' is based upon the coffee lover's honest passion for Indonesia. 

Sincerely hope my book could turn out handy to guide potential readers to the new world of Indonesian coffee.

Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia(4)

An Overview of Indonesia

This book aims to introduce still-unfamiliar Indonesia to South Korea in an easy way. 3-year-long experience in Indonesia mixed with curiosity of a former journalist produced 35 stories over Indonesian politics, economy, society and culture. Major cities in Java Island like Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Jogjakarta, Solo(Surakarta) and Bali Island are touched upon, too. 

In addition, general map and information of Indonesia as well as simple Indonesian expressions are provided. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely hope 'Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia' will play a timely and meaningful role of narrowing distance between Indonesia and South Korea further.

It couldn't be better if this publication will prove itself helpful to those South Korean businesses and young people dreaming of their future in Indonesia.