Moving to Indonesia

The cost of living in Indonesia can be inexpensive compared to life in many Western countries, but this can vary according to one's lifestyle. Living like a local and shopping at neighbourhood markets for fresh, seasonal goods is inexpensive. But opting for modern, fully serviced apartments and buying imported goods hike up the cost of living significantly. Ultimately, expats will have to decide what is most important to them and what fits into their budget.

Expat families and children

For expats bringing the whole family over to Indonesia, education will likely be their biggest expense. There are numerous schooling options, but most expats look beyond public education due to the language barrier. Often, international schools provide expat children with a smoother path to settling into their new home as they continue with a familiar curriculum in their home language. There are a number of international schools operating in Indonesia, most of which are in Jakarta.

Indonesia's healthcare sector is considered quite poor and certainly not up to Western standards, particularly outside of Jakarta. Any serious medical conditions will likely see expats having to seek medical attention outside of the country, typically in Singapore. Increasing air pollution in Indonesian cities is a further health hazard.

Climate in Indonesia

With a hot and tropical climate, it may take a while for expats coming from cooler climates to get used to the humidity, which is present all year round. The wet and warm monsoon season can be uncomfortable. On the bright side, this climate allows the local greenery and island life to flourish, and there's no shortage of good beach days.

Fast facts

Population: About 277 million

Capital city: Jakarta 

Neighbouring countries: Indonesia has land borders with Malaysia on the island of Borneo, Papua New Guinea on the island of New Guinea and East Timor on the island of Timor.

Geography: Indonesia is an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, with the five main islands being Sumatra, Java, Borneo (known as Kalimantan on the Indonesian side), Sulawesi and New Guinea. Parts of Indonesia are quite mountainous, and much of the country is covered by dense tropical forests. Located along the Ring of Fire, the country has many volcanoes and is also subject to frequent earthquakes.

Political system: Unitary presidential constitutional republic

Major religions: Islam

Main languages: Bahasa Indonesia and English 

Money: The Indonesian rupiah (IDR), divided into 100 sen. There are plenty of local and international banks in Indonesia, but many expats choose to maintain their existing bank account in their home country.

Tipping: Standard 10 to 15 percent in restaurants unless included as a service charge. Round up the bill for taxis and give slightly more for hired drivers.

Time: GMT+7 to GMT+9

Electricity: 230V, 50Hz. Plugs with two round pins are generally used throughout the country

Internet domain: .id

International dialling code: +62

Emergency numbers: 110 (police), 118 (ambulance)

Transport and driving: Cars drive on the left-hand side of the road. Indonesia has an established public transport system. Taxis are also plentiful. However, traffic can be brutal in Indonesian cities and driving is best avoided; many expats hire a local driver instead.