Chapter 2: Population characteristics

It was estimated in 1993 that the population of Jakarta was 9,000,000 and is now well above 10,000,000. This population is considered the 'night' population with the 'day' population reaching over 11,200,000 as many people from the country travel to the city for work everyday.

2.0.0.1

Chapter 2.1: Demographics

2.1.1: Languages 

Indonesian is the official language of Jakarta as well as the most common. English is treated as a second language that is more used in the tourism and economic industries. A small minority of elderly Jakarta inhabitants speak Dutch or Portuguese due to the colonial influence of the 17th and 18th centuries. The language native to Jakarta, Betawi, has been created over time from the East Malay dialect, but has also been infused with Dutch, Portuguese, Arabic and Mandarin. It is currently spoken by 5,000,000 people. Over 700 languages are spoken in Jakarta.

2.1.1.1 (click to enlarge)

2.1.2: Religion

The most practiced religion is Islam with 83.43% of the population considering themselves muslim. One of the least common religions in Jakarta is folk religion, which only 231 people identify with. It is one of the earliest form of religion that was later infused with Buddhism and Hinduism in Indonesia, which both eventually influenced Islam.

2.1.2.1

Chapter 2.2: Population

2.2.1: Population density

In 2009, Jakarta was home to 12,459-14,464 inhabitants per square kilometre and covers just under 700 square kilometres. In areas of poverty though, such as the Tambora slum, there is up to 50,000 inhabitants per square kilometre. Jakarta's population is currently growing at a rate of 1.72% per year. 

2.2.1.1

Chapter 2.3: Slums

Figure 2.3.0.1 shows a map titled "Improving the lives of the urban poor". It is map of the slums of Jakarta. 

2.3.0.1

2.3.1: Kalibaru

Kalibaru is a suburban village located in the Cilincing sub-district, shown in figure 2.3.1.1 in the top right corner of the map of Jakarta's sub-districts. It is known in Jakarta as one of the worst places to live. Many people living in the slums are living illegally, travelling from rural areas to work and only needing somewhere basic to live momentarily.

2.3.1.1

The rivers are littered with rubbish, depicted in figure 2.3.1.2, and are not potable. The houses are built right next to each other and all are overcrowded and lacking proper sanitation. 

2.3.1.2