2000 Edition

Background

The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1949. Current issues include: implementing IMF-mandated reforms of the banking sector, effecting a transition to a popularly elected government after years of rule by dictators, addressing charges of cronyism and corruption among the Chinese-dominated business class, dealing with alleged human rights violations by the military, and resolving growing pressures for some form of autonomy or independence in certain regions such as Aceh and Irian Jaya. On 30 August 1999 a provincial referendum for independence was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur. Concurrence followed by Indonesia's national legislature, and the name East Timor was provisionally adopted. The independent status of East Timor has yet to be formally established.

Area

land

1,826,440 sq km

total

1,919,440 sq km

water

93,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than three times the size of Texas

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands

Coastline

54,716 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Puncak Jaya 5,030 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest fires

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation

Geographic coordinates

5 00 S, 120 00 E

Geography - note

archipelago of 17,000 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles Equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean

Irrigated land

45,970 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km

total

2,602 km

Land use

arable land

10%

forests and woodland

62%

other

14% (1993 est.)

permanent crops

7%

permanent pastures

7%

Location

Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes

Natural resources

petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver

Terrain

mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains

Age structure

0-14 years: 30.57% (male 34,932,102; female 33,783,603) 15-64 years: 64.96% (male 72,889,994; female 73,124,821) 65 years and over: 4.47% (male 4,413,268; female 5,640,422) (2000 est.)

Birth rate

22.6 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate

6.31 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups

Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, other 26%

Infant mortality rate

42.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages

Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese

Life expectancy at birth

female

70.42 years (2000 est.)

male

65.61 years

total population

67.96 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

78% (1995 est.)

male

89.6%

total population

83.8%

Nationality

adjective

Indonesian

noun

Indonesian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population

224,784,210 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate

1.63% (2000 est.)

Religions

Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist 1%, other 1% (1998)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.61 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Administrative divisions

23 provinces (propinsi-propinsi, singular - propinsi), 2 special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 special capital city district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Bengkulu, Irian Jaya, Jakarta Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Lampung, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Riau, Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, Yogyakarta*; note - there may be a new province named Maluku Utara

note

following the 30 August 1999 provincial referendum for independence which was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur and the October 1999 concurrence of Indonesia's national legislature, the name East Timor was adopted as a provisional name for the political entity formerly known as Propinsi Timor Timur until such time as the entity's independent status is formally established

Capital

Jakarta

Constitution

August 1945, abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Indonesia

conventional short form

Indonesia

former

Netherlands East Indies; Dutch East Indies

local long form

Republik Indonesia

local short form

Indonesia

Data code

ID

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert GELBARD

embassy

Medan Merdeka Selatan 5, Jakarta

mailing address

Unit 8129, Box 1, APO AP 96520

telephone

(21) 344-2211

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Maleeha LODHI

telephone

(202) 775-5200

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet

chief of state

President Abdurrahman WAHID (since 20 October 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Abdurrahman WAHID selected president by vote of the People's Consultative Assembly, receiving 373 votes to 313 votes for MEGAWATI; MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri selected vice president by vote of the People's Consultative Assembly

elections

president and vice president selected by vote of the People's Consultative Assembly for five-year terms; selection last held 20 October 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004)

head of government

President Abdurrahman WAHID (since 20 October 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

FAX

(202) 775-5365

(21) 386-2259

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco

consulate(s) general

Surabaya

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red

Government type

republic

Independence

17 August 1945 (proclaimed independence; on 27 December 1949, Indonesia became legally independent from the Netherlands)

International organization participation

APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung), the judges are appointed by the president

Legal system

based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) (500 seats; 462 elected by popular vote, 38 are appointed military representatives; members serve five-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - PDI-P 37.4%, Golkar 20.9%, PKB 17.4%, PPP 10.7%, PAN 7.3%, PBB 1.8%, other 4.5%; seats by party - PDI-P 154, Golkar 120, PPP 58, PKB 51, PAN 35, PBB 14, other 30

elections

last held 7 June 1999 (next to be held NA June 2004)

note

the People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) includes the DPR plus 200 indirectly selected members; it meets every five years to elect the president and vice president and to approve the broad outlines of national policy

National holiday

Independence Day, 17 August (1945)

Political parties and leaders

Crescent Moon and Star Party or PBB ; Development Unity Party or PPP (federation of former Islamic parties) ; Golkar ; Indonesia Democracy Party or PDI (federation of former Nationalist and Christian Parties) [Budi HARDJONO, chairman]; Indonesia Democracy Party-Struggle or PDI-P ; National Awakening Party or PKB ; National Mandate Party or PAN [Amien RAIS, chairman]

Suffrage

17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of age

Agriculture - products

rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra; poultry, beef, pork, eggs

Budget

expenditures

$25.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00 est.)

revenues

$25.4 billion (of which $6 billion is from international financial institutions)

Currency

Indonesian rupiah (Rp) = 100 sen

Debt - external

$140 billion (1998 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$43 billion from IMF program and other official external financing (1997-2000)

Economy - overview

The Indonesian economy stabilized in 1999, following the sharp contraction and high inflation of 1998. By following tight monetary policy, the government reduced inflation from over 70% in 1998 to 2% in 1999. Although interest rates spiked as high as 70% in response to the monetary contraction, they fell rapidly to the 10% to 15% range. The economy stopped its free-fall as GDP showed some growth in the second half of 1999, although GDP for the year as a whole showed no growth. The government managed to recapitalize a handful of private banks and has begun recapitalizing the state-owned banking sector. New lending, however, remains almost unavailable as banks continue to be wary of issuing new debt in an environment where little progress has been made in restructuring the huge burden of outstanding debts. IMF payments were suspended late in 1999 as the result of evidence that a private bank had illegally funneled payments it received from the government to one of the political parties. The government has forecast growth of 3.8% for FY00/01. The spread of sectarian violence and continuing dissatisfaction with the pace of bank and debt restructuring will make it difficult for Indonesia to attract the private investment necessary to achieve this goal.

Electricity - consumption

68.011 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - production

73.13 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

88.19%

hydro

8.39%

nuclear

0%

other

3.42% (1998)

Exchange rates

Indonesian rupiahs (Rp) per US$1 - 7,278.8 (January 2000), 7,855.2 (1999), 10,013.6 (1998), 2,909.4 (1997), 2,342.3 (1996), 2,248.6 (1995)

Exports

$48 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil and gas, plywood, textiles, rubber

Exports - partners

Japan 18%, EU 15%, US 14%, Singapore 13%, South Korea 5%, Hong Kong 4%, China 4%, Taiwan 3% (1999 est.)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP

purchasing power parity - $610 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

21%

industry

35%

services

44% (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $2,800 (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

0% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 30.3% (1996)

Imports

$24 billion (c.i.f., 1999 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment; chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Japan 17%, US 13%, Singapore 10%, Germany 9%, Australia 6%, South Korea 5%, Taiwan 3%, China 3% (1999 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (1999 est.)

Industries

petroleum and natural gas; textiles, apparel, and footwear; mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood; rubber; food; tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (1999 est.)

Labor force

88 million (1998)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 45%, trade, restaurant, and hotel 19%, manufacturing 11%, transport and communications 5%, construction 4% (1998)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

15%-20% (1998 est.)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

24 (1999)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 678, FM 43, shortwave 82 (1998)

Radios

31.5 million (1997)

Telephone system

domestic service fair, international service good

domestic

interisland microwave system and HF radio police net; domestic satellite communications system

international

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

3.291 million (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.2 million (1998)

Television broadcast stations

41 (1999)

Televisions

13.75 million (1997)

Airports

446 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

127 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 31 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

319 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 281 (1999 est.)

Heliports

4 (1999 est.)

Highways

paved

158,670 km

total

342,700 km

unpaved

184,030 km (1997 est.)

Merchant marine

ships by type

bulk 38, cargo 346, chemical tanker 9, container 19, liquified gas 5, livestock carrier 1, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 13, petroleum tanker 114, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off 11, short-sea passenger 8, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 5 (1999 est.)

total

586 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,676,875 GRT/3,700,864 DWT

Pipelines

crude oil 2,505 km; petroleum products 456 km; natural gas 1,703 km (1989)

Ports and harbors

Cilacap, Cirebon, Jakarta, Kupang, Palembang, Semarang, Surabaya, Ujungpandang

Railways

narrow gauge

5,961 km 1.067-m gauge (101 km electrified; 101 km double track); 497 km 0.750-m gauge (1995)

total

6,458 km

Waterways

21,579 km total; Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura 820 km, Kalimantan 10,460 km, Sulawesi (Celebes) 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 km

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$1 billion (FY98/99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.3% (FY98/99)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 62,948,286 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 36,826,282 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

2,273,324 (2000 est.)

Disputes - international

Sipadan and Ligitan Islands in dispute with Malaysia

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use; possible growing role as transshipment point for Golden Triangle heroin

IRAN