Friday, March 21, 2008

Population of Jakarta


At the 1990 census, DKI Jakarta had a population of 8,259,266.

The 1997 population was 9,341,400. These figures do not include seasonal residents who may number more than 1 million.

Population growth is high: In 1986 the Jabotabek region had an estimated population of 14.6 million; the projected population for 2000 is 25 million.

Reducing the rate of Jakarta's population growth is a national priority.

In the 1970s efforts failed to control growth by prohibiting the entry of unemployed migrants.

The current strategy emphasizes family planning, dispersing the population throughout the greater Jabotabek region, and promoting transmigration (the voluntary movement of families to Indonesia's less populated islands).

Jakarta is a magnet for migrants from other areas of Indonesia; during the late 1980s an estimated 250 migrants arrived daily. Most were between the ages of 15 and 39 years, many with six years of education or less.

There is also a significant number of commuters and seasonal migrants who work in government, manufacturing, and services.

In addition, many of these temporary residents are engaged in informal employment as drivers, vendors, street sweepers, or in other similar occupations.

The population of Jakarta includes people of many ethnic groups. Sundanese from West Java and Javanese dominate, but Sumatrans, Minangkabau, Balinese and others are well represented.

There is also a significant Chinese population that is usually divided into two groups: Peranakans, who are Indonesian-born Chinese with some Indonesian ancestry; and Totoks, who have only Chinese ancestry and are usually foreign born.

Most people in Jakarta are Muslims. However, Buddhism, Hinduism, and a variety of Christian faiths are also represented.

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