History of Jakarta in Timeline
Jakarta is the de facto capital and largest city of Indonesia, located on the northwest coast of Java. It's an autonomous region with administrative status equivalent to a province. Greater Jakarta, the wider metropolitan area, is one of the world's largest urban agglomerations. As Indonesia's political, economic, and cultural hub, Jakarta hosts national institutions, corporate headquarters, and the ASEAN secretariat.
March 1942: Japanese forces captured the city
In March 1942, Dutch colonial rule ended when Japanese forces captured the city during the Second World War and renamed it Jakarta (Jakarta Special City), marking the beginning of a new phase in the city’s history.
August 1945: Indonesian nationalists proclaimed independence
In August 1945, following the end of the Second World War, Indonesian nationalists proclaimed independence. The administration of the city was reorganised as the Jakarta National Administration.
December 1949: Netherlands formally recognised Indonesian independence
In December 1949, after the Netherlands formally recognised Indonesian independence, Jakarta resumed its role as the national capital in 1950.
1950: Jakarta resumed its role as the national capital
In 1950, Jakarta resumed its role as the national capital after the Netherlands formally recognised Indonesian independence in December 1949.
1960: Sukarno visited Rabat in 1960
Jakarta signed sister city agreements with other cities, including Casablanca. However, in 1960, the Moroccan capital city of Rabat has an avenue named after Sukarno, Indonesia's first president, to commemorate his visit in 1960 and as a token of friendship.
1961: Jakarta census
According to the 1961 census, about 51% of Jakarta’s population had been born in the city.
1962: Jakarta hosted the Asian Games
In 1962, preparations for the Asian Games prompted large-scale urban development projects that reshaped Jakarta, including the construction of the National Monument, the Hotel Indonesia complex, new shopping centres, major boulevards such as Jalan MH Thamrin-Sudirman, and the Senayan sports complex.
October 1965: Attempted coup resulted in the killing of army generals
In October 1965, political tensions reached a turning point when an attempted coup resulted in the killing of six senior army generals, triggering a nationwide anti-communist purge and marking the beginning of Suharto's New Order.
1966: Jakarta was formally designated a Special Capital Region
In 1966, Jakarta was formally designated a Special Capital Region (Daerah Khusus Ibukota, DKI) with administrative status equivalent to a province.
1970: Population of Jakarta increased
In 1970, the population of Jakarta increased to approximately 4.5 million.
1977: End of Ali Sadikin's governorship
Ali Sadikin's governorship of Jakarta ended in 1977. During his time in office (1966-1977), the city experienced major urban reforms, including infrastructure improvements, the expansion of hospitals and schools, and cultural development programmes.
1979: Jakarta hosted the Southeast Asian Games
Jakarta hosted the Southeast Asian Games in 1979.
1980: City's population grew
Between 1980 and 1990 the city’s population grew at an average annual rate of about 3.7 percent.
1987: Jakarta hosted the Southeast Asian Games
Jakarta hosted the Southeast Asian Games in 1987.
1990: City's population grew
Between 1980 and 1990 the city’s population grew at an average annual rate of about 3.7 percent.
1997: Asian financial crisis
In 1997, the Asian financial crisis interrupted Jakarta's real estate boom during the late New Order period.
1997: Jakarta hosted the Southeast Asian Games
Jakarta hosted the Southeast Asian Games in 1997.
1998: Service coverage in western Jakarta increased from about 34% in 1998
According to PALYJA data, service coverage in western Jakarta increased from about 34% in 1998.
1998: Piped water services privatised
In 1998, Jakarta's water supply system was originally privatised, when concessions were granted to the French company Suez Environnement and the British company Thames Water.
1998: Political unrest and riots
In 1998, political unrest and riots, triggered by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, led to the resignation of President Suharto.
2000: Jakarta is home to publicly listed companies
Jakarta is home to several large publicly listed companies and technology start-ups, including firms ranked in the Forbes Global 2000 and Fortune 500.
2004: Access in eastern Jakarta rose from roughly 57% in 1998 to around 67% in 2004
In 2004, access in eastern Jakarta rose from roughly 57% in 1998 to around 67%.
2005: Some independent studies have estimated much lower levels of direct household access, with figures as low as 25% in 2005
In 2005, some independent studies have estimated much lower levels of direct household access, with figures as low as 25%.
2005: Tariffs were later frozen in 2005, which reduced investment by private operators
Tariffs were later frozen in 2005, which reduced investment by private operators.
2007: Introduction of direct gubernatorial elections
In 2007, Jakarta introduced direct gubernatorial elections as part of Indonesia’s political reforms.
2007: The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium hosted the AFC Asian Cup
In 2007, The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium was one of the venues for the AFC Asian Cup, hosting group-stage matches as well as the quarter-final and final.
2010: Service coverage in western Jakarta increased to 65% in 2010
According to PALYJA data, service coverage in western Jakarta increased to 65% in 2010.
2010: Census shows Javanese as the largest ethnic group
According to the 2010 census, the largest ethnic group in Jakarta was Javanese, accounting for about 36.17% of the population, followed by Betawi (28.29%), Sundanese (14.61%), Chinese Indonesians (6.62%), and Batak (3.42%).
2010: Population of Jakarta increased
In 2010, the population of Jakarta increased to approximately 9.5 million.
2010: Foreign investment allowed in private healthcare services
Since 2010, the Indonesian government allowed foreign investment in private healthcare services, expanding the sector in Jakarta.
2010: The gender ratio
The gender ratio was 102.8 males per 100 females in 2010 and about 101.3 in 2014.
June 2011: The city had about 10.5% green open space
In June 2011, Jakarta had about 10.5% green open space (ruang terbuka hijau, RTH).
2011: Some independent studies have estimated much lower levels of direct household access, with figures as low as 18.5% in 2011
In 2011, some independent studies have estimated much lower levels of direct household access, with figures as low as 18.5%.
2011: Jakarta hosted the Southeast Asian Games
Jakarta hosted the Southeast Asian Games in 2011.
2012: 'Healthy Jakarta Card' (Kartu Jakarta Sehat, KJS) introduced
In 2012, then Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo introduced the 'Healthy Jakarta Card' (Kartu Jakarta Sehat, KJS), a regional universal healthcare programme aimed at expanding access to medical services for residents.
2013: Establishment of the Jakarta Marathon
The Jakarta Marathon was established in 2013 and recognised by international athletics organisations, attracting thousands of participants from many countries each year.
January 2014: The 'National Health Insurance' (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional, JKN) launched
In January 2014, the Indonesian government launched a nationwide universal healthcare system known as the 'National Health Insurance' (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional, JKN), administered by the Social Security Agency on Health (BPJS Kesehatan).
2014: Jakarta population reached around 10 million
By 2014, the population of Jakarta had reached around 10 million, with a population density of about 15,174 people per square kilometre. The population of the Greater Jakarta metropolitan area was estimated at approximately 30 million in the same year.
2014: Jakarta Smart City (JSC) programme launched
In 2014, Jakarta Smart City (JSC) programme was launched to improve urban management through data integration, online services, and mobile applications aimed at enhancing public services, mobility, environmental monitoring, and civic participation.
2014: The gender ratio
The gender ratio was 102.8 males per 100 females in 2010 and about 101.3 in 2014.
2017: Jakarta was facing a significant clean water crisis as of 2017
As of 2017, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reported that Jakarta was facing a significant clean water crisis.
2017: Economic growth recorded
In 2017, Jakarta recorded economic growth of 6.22%, while total investment reached Rp 108.6 trillion (US$8 billion).
2017: Jakarta's regional budget reached Rp77.1 trillion
In 2017, Jakarta’s regional budget (Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Daerah, APBD) reached approximately Rp77.1 trillion.
2017: Kalijodo Park opened
In 2017, Kalijodo Park in North Jakarta opened with recreational facilities including a skateboard park.
2018: Jakarta's regional budget reached Rp83.2 trillion
In 2018, Jakarta’s regional budget (Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Daerah, APBD) reached approximately Rp83.2 trillion.
2018: Jakarta co-hosted the Asian Games with Palembang
Jakarta co-hosted the 2018 Asian Games with Palembang.
2018: KJS cards remained valid until 2018
The 'Healthy Jakarta Card' (KJS) programme was later integrated into the national scheme, and KJS cards remained valid until 2018.
2018: Development or renovation of sports venues
The Jakarta International Velodrome in Rawamangun, and the Jakarta International Equestrian Park in Pulomas, were both developed or renovated for the 2018 Asian Games.
2019: 300 child-friendly integrated public spaces
By 2019, Jakarta had about 300 child-friendly integrated public spaces (ruang publik terpadu ramah anak, RPTRA).
2019: Jakarta among the most visited cities globally
Euromonitor International’s 2019 ranking placed Jakarta among the 100 most visited cities globally.
2019: Jakarta's regional budget reached Rp89 trillion
In 2019, Jakarta’s regional budget (Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Daerah, APBD) reached approximately Rp89 trillion.
2020: Census data on Batak residents
According to the 2020 census, Jakarta had approximately 361,000 Batak residents, about 300,960 Minangkabau, and around 101,370 Malays.
2021: Administrative population records compiled
Administrative population records compiled by the Ministry of Home Affairs estimated Jakarta’s population at 11,261,595 at the end of 2021.
2021: Approximately 85.55% of Jakarta's population was covered by the JKN programme as of 2021
As of 2021, approximately 85.55% of Jakarta's population was covered by the 'National Health Insurance' (JKN) programme.
2021: Jakarta received the 2021 Global Sustainable Transport Award
In 2021, Jakarta received the Global Sustainable Transport Award in recognition of efforts to integrate its public transit system, though transport infrastructure continues to grapple with keeping pace with population growth.
2021: City’s nominal gross regional product
In 2021, Jakarta’s nominal gross regional product was estimated at US$203.7 billion.
2022: Completion of the Jakarta International Stadium
In 2022, the Jakarta International Stadium, a retractable-roof football stadium was completed.
2022: First Formula E Jakarta ePrix held
The Formula E Jakarta ePrix was first held in 2022 at the Ancol Circuit, North Jakarta.
2023: Public transport services covered approximately 86% of the city
By 2023, public transport services in Jakarta covered approximately 86% of the city, with a target of reaching 95%.
2023: Foreign tourists visited the city
In 2023, approximately 1.97 million foreign tourists visited Jakarta.
2024: Islam is the dominant religion
As of 2024, Islam is the dominant religion in Jakarta.
2030: Metropolitan population could reach about 35.6 million
Projections suggest that the metropolitan population of Jakarta could reach about 35.6 million by 2030.
2032: Jakarta submitted a bid to host the Summer Olympics
Following the success of the 2018 Asian Games, Jakarta submitted a bid to host the 2032 Summer Olympics, although the Games were ultimately awarded to Brisbane.
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