Several international institutions revised down their outlook for economic growth of Indonesia in 2015 as foreign investors have been somewhat disappointed with the performance of the new Indonesian government, while the global economic picture remains far from rosy. Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Credit Suisse and Nomura Holdings have all slashed Indonesia’s economic growth forecast this year to below the five percent (year-on-year) mark. Last year Indonesia’s economic growth touched a five-year low of 5.02 percent (y/y).

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Car sales in Indonesia have declined 17 percent to 443,328 units in the first five months of 2015 according to the latest data from the Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers Association (Gaikindo), hence providing further confirmation that consumer demand has continued to fall amid the country’s slowing economic growth, depreciating rupiah and accelerating inflation. Car sales are one of the key indicators to measure people’s purchasing power as well as the general state of the economy.

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Indonesian stocks declined more than expected during the first trading session on Tuesday (09/06). The benchmark Jakarta Composite Index plunged 3.12 percent to 4,858.31 points amid heightened expectation of a US interest rate hike as well as worries about the Greek debt situation in the Eurozone. The performance of other Asian stock indices was mixed on Tuesday morning with Shanghai, Singapore and South Korea showing modest gains, while New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan were down marginally.

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On 7 June 2015, Indonesia Investments released the latest edition of its newsletter. This free newsletter, which is sent to our subscribers once per week, contains the most important news stories from Indonesia that have been reported on our website in the last seven days. Most of the topics involve economic subjects such as Indonesia’s May inflation and manufacturing activity, updates on the rupiah & Indonesian stocks, new initial public offerings (IPOs) on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, poverty, consumer confidence, and more.

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The latest Consumer Confidence Index, compiled by the central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) shows that Indonesian consumers have become more optimistic about their economic prospects in May 2015. The index rose to 112.8 points in May, up 5.4 points from the preceding month (a score higher than 100.0 signal consumer optimism). It was the first time this year that Bank Indonesia’s Consumer Confidence Index, which is based on a sample of 4,600 household in 18 major Indonesian cities, increased.

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In line with other stock indices in Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index) has been weakening since the start of trading on Wednesday (03/06). Yesterday’s weakening indices on Wall Street, concern about rising bond yields, worries about the possibility of a default by debt-ridden Greece, and weak macroeconomic data from Indonesia have all contributed to the negative performance of Indonesian stocks so far today. By 11:15 am local time, the Jakarta Composite Index had fallen 1.42 percent.

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Inflation in Indonesia accelerated higher than expected in May 2015. Based on the latest data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), announced today, Indonesia’s consumer price index rose to 7.15 percent (y/y) in May, from 6.79 percent (y/y) in the preceding month. The primary reason for higher inflation is rebounding oil prices thus causing higher prices at fuel pumps. As fuel subsidies have been largely cut at the start of 2015, the recent rising global oil prices now cause serious inflationary pressures in Indonesia.

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One month ahead of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, food prices in Indonesia have already began to rise. It is a traditional phenomenon that ahead of the Ramadan (and during this month as well as the subsequent Idul Fitri celebrations) inflation peaks as Indonesians spend more money on food products (for dinner parties in the evening after the daily fasting has ended) and other consumer products such as clothes and shoes. However, some concerns have arisen as a presidential regulation on price controls is yet to come out.

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In order to avert a spike in inflation and social unrest, Indonesian President Joko Widodo may feel forced to allow around 1.5 million metric tons of rice imports in 2015 as domestic prices of rice have been rising on sluggish local harvests. Moreover, an intensifying El Nino is expected to cause dry weather in the months ahead hence further jeopardizing rice productivity. These already tough conditions will be exacerbated by seasonal Islamic celebrations (Ramadan and Idul Fitri) that always trigger increased consumption of food products.

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Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia) showed that it is committed to its relatively tight monetary stance as it left interest rates unchanged at its May Board of Governor’s Meeting. Despite pressures from the government and business players to cut interest rates (which would boost economic growth), Bank Indonesia maintained its key BI rate at 7.50 percent, the overnight deposit facility at 5.50 percent and the lending facility rate at 8.00 percent. In the first quarter of 2015 Indonesia’s economic growth had slowed to a disappointing 4.71 percent (y/y).

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On Friday (06 December 2024), Indonesia Investments released the November 2024 edition of its monthly report. It zooms in on the most relevant economic, social and political developments that occured in Indonesia in the month of November 2024.

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As expected, Bank Indonesia cut the benchmark interest rate at its monetary policy meeting on 17-18 September 2024. The BI rate was cut by 25 basis points (bps) to 6.00 percent, while also lowering the deposit facility and lending facility rates by 25 bps to 5.25 percent and 6.75 percent, respectively.

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It is very interesting to take a quick look at the conclusions drawn at the latest US Federal Reserve meeting (held on 30-31 July 2024), as these conclusions have a big impact on global financial markets, including the Indonesian rupiah rate (and even on monetary policy of Indonesia’s central bank, Bank Indonesia).

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Remarkably, the consumer price index of Indonesia showed deflation for the third consecutive month. Based on the latest data from the Statistical Office of Indonesia (Badan Pusat Statistik, or BPS), deflation was recorded at 0.18 percent month-on-month (m/m) in July 2024.

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Inflation in Indonesia was lower than expected in May 2024. In fact, the latest data from Indonesia’s Statistical Office (Badan Pusat Statistik, or BPS) show a contraction in overall prices (in other words: deflation). With an annual headline inflation rate of 2.84 percent, it means price pressures remain under control in Indonesia.

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While we saw the highest monthly inflation rate (of the year) in December 2023, it was lower than we had projected. The latest data published by Indonesia’s Statistical Office (Badan Pusat Statistik, BPS) show that headline inflation reached 0.41 percent month-on-month (m/m) in December 2023.

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As expected, the central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) decided to impose a 50 basis points (bps) interest rate hike after concluding its two-day monetary policy meeting on 16-17 November 2022.

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For me, G20 summits were always interesting occasions as the leaders of the world’s strongest economies gather to discuss plans to move forward. This year, however, it was the first time that I was quite reluctant to follow the summit (despite the 2022 edition being organized on the Indonesian island of Bali).

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As usual, we devote our first article to the Indonesian economy. But before we zoom in on the latest macroeconomic data of Indonesia, we first provide some context by discussing the global economy.

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Before turning our attention to the economy of Indonesia, it is important to take a closer look at the global economy first. Fortunately, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) just released a new update (called the OECD Economic Outlook, Interim Report September 2022) and so it’s certainly worthwhile to take a look at its conclusions.

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