West Java Becomes Migration Destination, Jakarta Left Behind

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that net in-migration in West Java reached 323,171 people in 2018, the highest nationally. West Java was followed by Yogyakarta and East Java with net in-migration of 127,463 and 112,601 people respectively in 2018.

Meanwhile, Jakarta had the lowest net in-migration, at -287,553 people. Jakarta was followed by North Sumatra and South Sumatra with net in-migration of -86,884 and -33,653 people respectively.

Net in-migration (recent migration) is the difference between the number of people entering and leaving a region based on their place of residence five years prior. A positive net in-migration means more people moved into the region than moved out. A negative net in-migration indicates more people moved out than moved in.

This data shows that the long-held assumption of Jakarta as the primary destination for urbanization is outdated. In reality, more people left Jakarta than moved in. Specifically, 742,903 people left Jakarta in 2018, while only 455,350 moved in. Most people born in Jakarta currently work and reside in West Java, Banten, and Central Java.

West Java is the province that absorbed the largest number of permanent migrants from Jakarta, reaching 940,000 people or 60% of the total 1.6 million permanent migrants from Jakarta. According to the LIPI Population Research Center, the spatial pattern of migration in Indonesia generally occurs within the island (Java to Java). Personal factors such as proximity to the origin region and cultural similarities are primary considerations for migration, although other factors such as employment opportunities or economic factors also play a role.

Please click this link in the category: general >> population >> population migration for more detailed data.