Indonesia

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Updated: September 17, 2026
What changed?

September 17, 2026
Added the 2028 target for Nusantara to function as Indonesia’s political capital while retaining Jakarta’s current legal capital status.

August 24, 2026
Jakarta’s current capital status and Nusantara’s pending future transfer were clarified.

🇮🇩 Indonesia

Capital: Jakarta

Capital status in 2026: Jakarta remains Indonesia’s current capital for present-day reference purposes. Nusantara is the designated future capital, but the legal transfer depends on the required presidential decree. Until that decree takes effect, the capital relocation has not occurred.

2028 target: Presidential Regulation No. 79 of 2025 sets a government target for Nusantara to function as Indonesia’s political capital in 2028. The Nusantara Capital Authority continued to work toward that target in 2026. The 2028 target does not by itself replace the separate presidential decree required for the formal transfer of the capital.

capital of Indonesia Jakarta – Indonesia’s current capital

Jakarta, often referred to as the “Big Durian,” is Indonesia’s largest urban center and a major hub for business, government and culture. Located on the northwest coast of Java, the city has been shaped by Sundanese, Javanese, Malay, Chinese, Arab and European influences. Jakarta remains the country’s capital while Indonesia prepares for the future transfer of the capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan.

📜 Timeline of Jakarta

4th Century: The wider region formed part of early kingdoms in western Java, including Tarumanagara.

1527: Sunda Kelapa was captured and the settlement became known as Jayakarta.

1949: Jakarta became the capital of the internationally recognized Republic of Indonesia after the transfer of sovereignty from the Netherlands.

2026: Jakarta remains Indonesia’s capital. Nusantara has been designated as the future capital, but the legal relocation awaits the presidential decree required to put the transfer into effect. Under Presidential Regulation No. 79 of 2025, the government is targeting Nusantara to function as Indonesia’s political capital in 2028.

📊 City Stats

City Anniversary

22 June 1527

Language

Indonesian

Currency

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

Geography

Located on the northwest coast of Java island, near Jakarta Bay.

Time Zone

WIB (UTC+7)

Calling Code

+62

Driving Side

Left-hand traffic

🏛️ Iconic Landmarks

National Monument (Monas)

A monument commemorating Indonesia’s independence, with an observation deck overlooking central Jakarta.

Istiqlal Mosque

Indonesia’s national mosque and one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia.

Jakarta Cathedral

A neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral located opposite the Istiqlal Mosque in central Jakarta.

Did you know? Jakarta remains the seat of Indonesia’s national government while the planned transition to Nusantara is still legally pending.

Jakarta remains Indonesia’s current capital and its main center for government, commerce and urban life. Nusantara is planned to take over the capital role once the required legal transfer is put into effect, with the government targeting 2028 for Nusantara to function as the country’s political capital.