History of Jakarta in Timeline

Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, located on the northwest coast of Java. It holds provincial-level autonomous region status and is bordered by West Java and Banten provinces. Jakarta serves as the diplomatic capital of ASEAN. Its metropolitan area is a significant economic hub in Southeast Asia, with a GDP PPP estimated at US$724.010 billion in 2023.

1913: Menteng housing park was started

In 1913, the housing park of Menteng was started.

1930: Batavia's Population Reaches Over 500,000

By 1930, Batavia had more than 500,000 inhabitants, including 37,067 Europeans.

1930: Batak People Ranking

In 1930, the number of Batak people in Jakarta ranked eighth among ethnic groups.

1935: Expansion of Batavia through Annexation

In 1935, the city was expanded through the annexation of the town of Meester Cornelis, modern Jatinegara.

March 1942: Japanese Capture of Batavia

On 5 March 1942, the Japanese captured Batavia from Dutch control, and the city was named Jakarta.

August 1945: Indonesian Nationalists Declare Independence

After World War II ended, Indonesian nationalists declared independence on 17 August 1945, and the government of Jakarta City was changed into the Jakarta National Administration in the following month.

December 1949: Full Indonesian Independence

After the war, the Dutch name Batavia was internationally recognised until full Indonesian independence on 27 December 1949. The city, renamed Jakarta, was officially proclaimed the national capital of Indonesia.

1950: Jakarta Becomes National Capital Again

In 1950, after securing full independence, Jakarta again became the national capital.

1960: Jakarta's status changed to a province

In 1960, Jakarta's official status was changed to a province with special capital region distinction.

1960: Senayan Sports Complex Construction

The Senayan sports complex was built in 1960 to accommodate the 1962 Asian Games.

1960: Government led by a mayor until the end of 1960

The first government was led by a mayor until the end of 1960 when the office was changed to that of a governor.

1961: Jakarta Population Doubled

Between 1961 and 1980, the population of Jakarta doubled.

1961: Jakarta's population born in Jakarta

The 1961 census showed that 51% of the city's population was born in Jakarta.

1962: Asian Games Host

Jakarta hosted the Asian Games in 1962.

1962: Senayan Sports Complex Construction

The Senayan sports complex was built in 1960 to accommodate the 1962 Asian Games.

1962: Jakarta Selected to Host Asian Games

With Jakarta selected to host the 1962 Asian Games, Sukarno instigated large government-funded projects.

October 1965: Abortive Coup Attempt in Jakarta

In October 1965, Jakarta was the site of an abortive coup attempt in which six top generals were killed, precipitating a violent anti-communist purge.

1966: Jakarta Declared a 'Special Capital Region'

In 1966, Jakarta was declared a 'special capital region' (Daerah Khusus Ibukota), with a status equivalent to that of a province separated from West Java.

1970: Jakarta Population

The population rose from 4.5 million in 1970 to 9.5 million in 2010.

1974: Jakarta Special Capital Region Confirmed as Capital

Based on law No. 5 of 1974, the Jakarta Special Capital Region was confirmed as the capital of Indonesia.

1977: End of Ali Sadikin's Governorship

Lieutenant General Ali Sadikin served as governor from 1966 to 1977; during his term he implemented several changes in Jakarta.

1979: Southeast Asian Games Host

Jakarta hosted the Southeast Asian Games in 1979.

1980: Jakarta Population Doubled

Between 1961 and 1980, the population of Jakarta doubled.

1987: Southeast Asian Games Host

Jakarta hosted the Southeast Asian Games in 1987.

1990: Jakarta population growth

During the period 1980–1990, the city's population grew annually by 3.7%.

1996: Construction of Wisma 46

Built-in 1996, Wisma 46 soars to a height of 262 m (860 ft).

1997: Southeast Asian Games Host

Jakarta hosted the Southeast Asian Games in 1997.

1997: Asian Financial Crisis

The 1997 Asian financial crisis put Jakarta at the centre of violence, protest, and political manoeuvring.

1998: Riots and Violence in Jakarta

In 1998, four days of riots and violence in Jakarta resulted in casualties and damage, forcing Suharto to resign.

2000: Jemaah Islamiyah-connected Bombings

In 2000, Jemaah Islamiyah-connected bombings occurred in Jakarta.

2000: Batak People Ranking

In 2000, the number of Batak people in Jakarta had grown to fifth in ranking among ethnic groups.

2000: N/A

N/A

2001: Chinese community self-identification

In 2001, the Chinese community in Jakarta self-identified as being 5.5% of the population, a figure thought to be under-reported.

2005: Jemaah Islamiyah-connected Bombings

In 2005, Jemaah Islamiyah-connected bombings occurred in Jakarta.

August 2007: First-Ever Election to Choose a Governor

In August 2007, Jakarta held its first-ever election to choose a governor.

2007: AFC Asian Cup Host

In 2007, Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta hosted the group stage, quarterfinal, and final of the AFC Asian Cup.

2009: Jemaah Islamiyah-connected Bombings

In 2009, Jemaah Islamiyah-connected bombings occurred in Jakarta.

2010: Ethnic composition in 2010

As of 2010, 36.17% of the city's population were Javanese, 28.29% Betawi (locally established mixed race, cemented by diverse creole), 14.61% Sundanese, 6.62% Chinese, 3.42% Batak, 2.85% Minangkabau, 0.96% Malays, Indo and others 7.06%.

2010: Youth Olympics

N/A

2010: Foreign Investment in Healthcare

Since the government began allowing foreign investment in the private sector in 2010, the private healthcare sector has seen significant changes in Jakarta.

2010: Jakarta Population Counted

The 2010 census counted some 9.58 million people in Jakarta.

June 2011: Percentage of Green Open Spaces in Jakarta

In June 2011, Jakarta had only 10.5% green open spaces (Ruang Terbuka Hijau), although this grew to 13.94%.

2011: Southeast Asian Games Co-Host

Jakarta co-hosted the Southeast Asian Games in 2011 with Palembang.

2011: Tourism Income Increase

Jakarta's tourism sector experienced a 17.9% increase in direct income from 2011 to 2012.

2012: Healthy Jakarta Card Introduction

In 2012, the Governor of Jakarta introduced the 'Healthy Jakarta Card' (Kartu Jakarta Sehat, KJS), a universal health care program.

2012: Tourism Sector Contribution

In 2012, the tourism sector contributed Rp. 2.6 trillion (US$268.5 million) to Jakarta's total direct income.

2013: High-End Property Investment

In 2013, Jakarta offered the highest return on high-end property investment globally, as reported by Knight Frank in 2014.

2013: Jakarta Budget

In 2013, Jakarta's budget was around Rp 50 trillion ($US5.2 billion), equivalent to around $US380 per citizen, with spending priorities on education, transport, flood control, environment, and social spending.

2013: Jakarta Marathon Establishment

The Jakarta Marathon, recognized by AIMS and IAAF, was established in 2013, promoting sports tourism.

January 2014: National Health Care System Launch

In January 2014, the Indonesian government launched a universal health care system called Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN), run by BPJS Kesehatan.

January 2014: Agreement to Build Dams and Tunnel

In January 2014, the central government agreed to build two dams in Ciawi, Bogor and a tunnel from Ciliwung River to Cisadane River to ease flooding.

December 2014: Jakarta Smart City Program Launch

The Jakarta Smart City (JSC) program was launched on December 14, 2014, aiming for smart governance, people, mobility, economy, living, and environment using web and smartphone apps.

2014: Wealth Report Data

According to The Wealth Report 2015, in 2014, 24 individuals in Indonesia had wealth of at least US$1 billion, with 18 residing in Jakarta.

2014: Water Reservoirs and Lakes Supporting Jakarta

As of 2014, 183 water reservoirs and lakes supported the greater Jakarta area.

2014: Jakarta population in 2014

As of 2014, the population of Jakarta stood at 10 million, with a population density of 15,174 people/km.

2015: Shopping Mall Floor Area

As of 2015, Jakarta had the largest shopping mall floor area within a single city, totaling 550 hectares.

2015: GRP per capita Ranking

In 2015, Jakarta's GRP per capita ranked 41st among 77 cities, according to the Japan Center for Economic Research.

2015: Jakarta Marathon Participation

In 2015, the Jakarta Marathon saw participation from over 15,000 runners from 53 countries.

2015: The Wealth Report

The Wealth Report 2015 by Knight Frank indicated that 18 of the 24 individuals in Indonesia with wealth of at least US$1 billion lived in Jakarta in 2014.

2016: Terrorist Attacks Rock Jakarta

Between 2016 and 2017, a series of terrorist attacks rocked Jakarta with scenes of multiple suicide bombings and gunfire. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi claimed responsibility for the attacks on behalf of Islamic State.

2017: Forbes Global 2000 and Fortune 500

As of 2017, Jakarta was home to six Forbes Global 2000, two Fortune 500 and seven Unicorn companies.

2017: Terrorist Attacks Rock Jakarta

2017: Economic Growth and Investment

In 2017, Jakarta experienced economic growth of 6.22%, with total investment valued at Rp 108.6 trillion (US$8 billion).

2017: Instagram Ranking

In 2017, Jakarta was named the most popular location for tag stories and ranked eighth most-posted among cities on Instagram.

2017: Satria Muda Pertamina Jakarta

In 2017, the BritAma Arena served as a playground for Satria Muda Pertamina Jakarta, the runner-up of the Indonesian Basketball League.

2017: Jakarta Regional Budget

Jakarta's regional budget (APBD) in 2017 was Rp 77.1 trillion ($US5.92 billion).

2017: Mercer's Cost of Living Survey

Mercer's 2017 Cost of Living Survey ranked Jakarta as the 88th costliest city in the world for expatriates.

2018: Asian Games Co-Host

Jakarta co-hosted the 2018 Asian Games with Palembang.

2018: Jakarta Regional Budget

Jakarta's regional budget (APBD) in 2018 was Rp 83.2 trillion ($US6.2 billion).

2018: KJS Card Validity

KJS cards were valid until 2018 and were integrated into JKN.

August 2019: Capital Move Announced

In August 2019, President Joko Widodo announced plans to move Indonesia's capital from Jakarta to Nusantara.

2019: Top 100 City Destinations Ranking

According to Euromonitor International's 2019 ranking, Jakarta was 57th among the 100 most visited cities worldwide.

2019: Jakarta Regional Budget

Jakarta's regional budget (APBD) in 2019 was Rp 89 trillion ($US6.35 billion).

2019: Number of Integrated Child-Friendly Public Spaces

There are about 300 integrated child-friendly public spaces (RPTRA) in Jakarta in 2019.

2020: Sumatran Residents Census

According to the 2020 census, approximately 361,000 Batak, 300,960 Minangkabau, and 101,370 Malays resided in Jakarta.

2020: Cities of Economic Influence Index Ranking

In 2020, Jakarta was ranked 21st in the list of Cities of Economic Influence Index by CEOWORLD magazine.

June 2021: Bicycle Lanes in Jakarta

As of June 2021, Jakarta had 63 kilometers of bicycle lanes, with plans to add another 101 kilometers by the end of the year.

2021: Health Coverage by JKN

As of 2021, 85.55% of the people of Jakarta were covered by JKN.

2021: Nominal GDP Per Capita

In 2021, Jakarta's nominal GDP per capita was estimated at Rp 274.710 million (US$19,199).

2021: Jakarta's GDP

In 2021, Jakarta's nominal GDP was US$203.702 billion and PPP GDP was US$602.946 billion, representing about 17% of Indonesia's GDP.

2021: Global Sustainable Transport Award

Jakarta was awarded the 2021 Global Sustainable Transport Award (STA) for its integrated public transportation system.

2021: Jakarta's Population at Yearend

The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) lists Jakarta's population at 11,261,595 at yearend 2021.

January 2022: Capital Move Approved

On 18 January 2022, the MPR approved the move of the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara.

June 2022: Jakarta ePrix Race

In June 2022, Jakarta successfully hosted the first Jakarta ePrix race of the Formula E championship at Ancol Circuit, North Jakarta.

2022: Completion of Jakarta International Stadium

The Jakarta International Stadium, the largest capacity retractable roof stadium in Asia, was completed in 2022 in Tanjung Priok district.

January 2023: Daily Public Transportation Usage

As of January 2023, approximately 2.6 million people used public transportation daily in Jakarta.

September 2023: Public Transport Service Coverage

As of September 2023, Jakarta's public transport service coverage reached 86 percent, with a target to increase to 95 percent.

2023: Jakarta's GDP PPP Estimated

In 2023, Jakarta's GDP PPP was estimated at US$724.010 billion.

2023: Foreign Tourist Arrivals

In 2023, approximately 1.97 million foreign tourists visited Jakarta.

2023: Jakarta Sinking

In 2023, the New York Times reported that in some places Jakarta is sinking up to 12 inches (30 cm) annually.

August 2024: Government Plan to Move Indonesia's Capital

During the Jokowi presidency, the Government adopted a plan to move Indonesia's capital to Nusantara after 17 August 2024, but this has not occurred due to delays.

November 2024: Jakarta's Designation Changed to Special Region

On 30 November 2024, President Prabowo Subianto signed Law No. 151/2024, which changed Jakarta's designation from a Special Capital Region to a Special Region.

2024: Jakarta's Religious Composition

In 2024, Jakarta's religious composition included Islam (83.83%), Protestantism (8.6%), Catholicism (3.9%), Buddhism (3.46%), Hinduism (0.18%), Confucianism (0.017%), and folk religions (0.013%).