Distribution of Javanese People's Residences in Indonesia

The Javanese are Indonesia's largest ethnic group. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), this group originates from Central Java, East Java, and Yogyakarta provinces.

The term "Javanese" in this context includes the Javanese, Samin, Tengger, Nagaring, and Nagarigung groups.

BPS studies show that the migration of Javanese people to other Indonesian islands was driven by emigration policies implemented by the Dutch colonial government.

These policies were continued through transmigration programs after Indonesian independence. These two factors contributed to the widespread distribution of the Javanese people across Indonesia.

According to the 2020 BPS Population Census, 12.39% of the Javanese population are lifetime migrants. This means that out of every 100 Javanese people in Indonesia, 12-13 live in a different province from their province of origin.

The following percentages show the residence of Javanese people born in their province of origin, based on the 2020 BPS Population Census:

• Province of origin (Central Java, Yogyakarta Special Region, and East Java): 89.42%
• Other provinces on Java Island: 5.12%
• Sumatra Island: 3.02%
• Kalimantan Island: 1.56%
• Sulawesi Island: 0.32%
• Maluku and Papua Islands: 0.31%
• Bali and Nusa Tenggara Islands: 0.25%

"Although the Javanese are spread across all provinces and islands in Indonesia, a high concentration of Javanese people is only found in several provinces on Java and Sumatra islands," states the BPS in its report.