Quick Facts

• Capital: Jakarta
• Population: 237,500,000 ( 2011 est.)
• Area: 1,919,440 sq km (17,508 islands, 6,000 inhabited)
• GDP per capita: $1,160 (2010)
• GDP growth: 6,5% (2011)
• Population below poverty line: 13% 
• President: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20 October 2009) 

Learn more about USAID's work throughout Indonesia's provinces

OVERVIEW

From one of the largest island archipelagoes to democratic transition to an environmental superpower, Indonesia’s remarkable rise in recent years has been unprecedented. Looking ahead to 2030, Indonesia is poised to be the 7th-largest economies in the world, overtaking Germany and the United Kingdom - but to meet its ambitious growth targets and attract international investment, it must do more.[1] In the present, Indonesia is country in contrasts, with over half of its 240 million population living on less than $2 a day, of which one-third of those under-five years of age are underweight. Indonesia struggles with fragile institutions, decentralization, and endemic corruption, while hindered by poor infrastructure, protectionist economic policy, health issues, and the devastating impact of inexorable environmental degradation.  In this context USAID partners with the Government of Indonesia (GOI), the private sector, academia, civil society, and donors to help cement democracy and create prosperity, stabilizing a key regional power and partner.

PROGRAM

In the framework of the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, a long-term commitment by Presidents Obama and Yudhoyono, USAID works to improve the quality of basic and higher education primary healthcare, strengthen governance and democracy, increase food security, sustain the environment, preserve biodiversity, and to manage disasters.  Cross-cutting priorities are women’s empowerment, local capacity building, community development in Papua, and innovation through science and technology.

INVESTING IN PEOPLE THROUGH EDUCATION

USAID higher education programs improve education institutions by developing leadership and management skills and facilitating partnerships with U.S. universities, focusing on research and exchanges.  USAID basic education programs, critical to preparing students for study at the secondary and tertiary levels both at home and in the U.S., will continue to support institutionalization of important concepts of active learning, early grade reading, math and science education, and school-based management in secular and Islamic schools throughout the country.  Growing Indonesia’s human capital, global knowledge and technological capabilities contributes directly to more sustainable, inclusive growth, builds long-term support for the relationship.

GOVERNING JUSTLY AND DEMOCRATICALLY

USAID programs strengthen local governments’ ability to deliver public services and respond to the needs of citizens after the rapid decentralization of authorities and services to more than 500 local governments.  USAID programs tackle corruption by strengthening institutional accountability, engaging civil society organizations to promote a culture of accountability, and supporting justice sector reform and legal education. USAID will also continue to build capacity in the Parliament, tackle corruption by strengthening institutional accountability, engage civil society organizations to promote a culture of accountability, and support justice sector reform and legal education.  U.S. government efforts in Papua will focus on building capacity of prominent local non-governmental organizations to protect human rights and support communities in remote areas of Papua. Initiatives also include supporting the GOI’s and multi-donor efforts in the area of South-South Cooperation and Triangular Cooperation.

BROADENING ECONOMIC GROWTH

While Indonesia posts impressive 6%+ GDP growth rates, propelling it into the ranks of middle income countries, regional disparities, poor infrastructure, and anti-competitive policies have left tens of millions of Indonesians in poverty and with limited U.S. exports. USAID programs promote business advocacy, regulatory streamlining, policy analysis, as well as financial inclusion through loan credit guarantees and innovations like mobile banking.  USAID also promotes sustainable policy and agricultural research and biotechnology, improved smallholder practices and market linkages to connect buyers and sellers.  

SAVING LIVES THROUGH HEALTH 

The United States cannot achieve its global health goals without partnership with Indonesia, a Global Health Initiative country.  The United States is only one of a few international donors in health, and is one of only two external partners working on tuberculosis.  USAID programs work to reduce high rates of maternal deaths and reverse stagnating improvements in child health by improving management of complications in labor and delivery and post-natal care for newborns.  Programs also accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.  USAID programs also aim to improve prevention of HIV/AIDS among high-risk groups in a country where HIV/AIDS incidence is among the fastest growing in the region

SUSTAINABLY MANAGING THE ENVIRONMENT

Through the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and the Low Emissions Development strategies, the U.S. will continue to work to reduce emissions from deforestation and land degradation, create incentives for reducing carbon emissions and support the GOI’s REDD+ strategy; its commitments under the Letter of Intent with Norway; and its pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  USAID implements programs with the Government of Indonesia and NGOs that improve marine resource management.  Programs address climate change through better environmental planning and governance, new co-operative and business practices, increased access to financing and enhanced community resilience to climate change impacts and disasters, and support the blue economy.  USAID works with Indonesia’s Municipalities and Districts to increase access to clean water and improve sanitation 

PROVIDING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

Hundreds of thousands of Indonesians benefit from USAID-funded relief operations in this natural disaster-prone country. USAID was an early responder supporting relief and recovery efforts after recent disasters such as the 2010 Mount Merapi eruption, the 2010 Mentawai tsunami, and the 2009 Padang earthquake.