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Migration across countries
Indonesia
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India
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Indonesia
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Bangladesh
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Indonesia

Migration at a Glance: Demographic Insights & Movement Patterns

Overview
State Map

Select state to jump to state level migration analysis

Sample surveyed in Indonesia

In total, we surveyed 1,492 internal migrants in Indonesia across 8 provinces. The data below reflects the full sample of 1,492 internal migrants surveyed, including those who did not face weather impacts at source or destination locations.

What is the age of migrants surveyed?
Most Indonesian migrants are aged 35 to 59, indicating that migration is primarily driven by adults in their peak working years. Youth and elderly participation in migration is minimal, reflecting the economic and physical demands of moving for work.
18-24 years
7%
25-34 years
24%
35-44 years
45%
45-59 years
22%
60 and above
1%
Male
73%
Female
27%
Jawa
48%
Sasak
16%
Melayu
15%
Papua
9%
Flores
4%
Dayak
3%
Batak
2%
Betawi
1%
Madura
1%
Banjar
1%

Why are people moving?

Migration in Indonesia is largely driven by economic reasons. Many individuals leave their villages due to a lack of job opportunities, low wages, or unstable livelihoods. Environmental stressors such as unpredictable weather and land-related challenges also influence migration decisions. The cumulative impact of economic and climate factors makes migration a vital coping strategy.

63%
Lack of job opportunities at source
57%
Livelihood no longer dependable
46%
Lower wages at source
11%
Long-term change in weather
10%
Earn wages to pay back loans
9%
Migrated for marriage purpose
7%
Land related conflicts at source

Why are migrants choosing certain destination locations?

Migrants from Indonesia tend to choose their destinations based on work-related opportunities, with considerations for income potential and employment availability. Other influencing factors include family, personal freedoms, and the convenience of being closer to home.
Finding better job opportunities
84%
Finding better wages
67%
Joining other family members
15%
For marriage purpose
10%
Proximity to home/village
9%
Greater freedom within destination
7%
Better educational opportunities
6%

Who are migrants moving with?

Migration in Indonesia is often with family. Many migrate with spouses, children, or other relatives. Migrating with friends or fellow villagers is also common, reflecting strong social ties that support mobility and adaptation.

32%
Spouse
27%
Other Family Members
26%
Friends
23%
Children
14%
Alone
12%
Other villagers
5%
Other workers

What duration are migrants moving for?

Long-term migration was more common in the country. A possible reason for this is the high migration costs associated with them returning to their home or village. For instance, due to the archipelagic landscape of the country, the most likely and quickest (though extremely expensive) mode of transport would be by air.

Long-term migrant (One or more years)
43%
Permanent migrant
21%
Short-term / temporary migrant (every year for one or more months)
17%
Migrated temporarily once but don’t plan to migrate again
12%
Prefer not to answer
4%
Migrate some years for one or more months
3%

What locations are migrants moving to in Indonesia?

How many migrants are negatively impacted by extreme weather events?

Extreme weather related disruptions have significantly affected Indonesian migrants, with most reporting impacts both at their home villages and destination locations.

Weather impacts at destination locations are notably high, suggesting challenges persist even after migration.

10%

No. of migrants not impacted negatively by extreme weather

In Indonesia, weather events are increasingly influencing patterns of internal migration. Many migrants face environmental challenges not only in their places of origin but also at their destination locations, making them especially vulnerable to climate risks.

58% of 638 Migrants from source locations.

Are reported being affected by weather events either at home or in both home and destination areas.

78% of 854 Migrants at destination

Are reported experiencing weather-related impacts where they currently live or in both locations.

These findings highlight how climate stressors are affecting migrants throughout their journey, underscoring the need for integrated support across rural and urban areas.

What livelihoods do migrants belong to at source locations?
In rural Indonesia, livelihoods are heavily dependent on agriculture, with many engaged in farming their own land or working as agricultural laborers. Some households also rely on small businesses or livestock, while others report a lack of stable village livelihoods.
73%
Farmers
62%
Agricultural labourers
14%
Animal husbandry
7%
Fishery worker
5%
Shop/Business worker
28%
Plantation Workers
27%
Factory workers
17%
Others
8%
Construction workers
7%
Food processing factory worker
6%
Other manufacturing factory workers
5%
Domestic workers
What extreme weather events are migrants facing at source locations?
Indonesian livelihoods are mainly affected by drought, excess rainfall, and increased weather unpredictability. Heatwaves and riverbank erosion also present growing challenges. These disruptions particularly impact farming and rural livelihoods, often leading to migration or job changes.
55%
Drought
38%
Excess rain
38%
Increased unpredictability of weather / seasons
35%
Increasing heat
23%
Flooding
10%
Others
9%
Cyclones / typhoons / hurricanes
6%
High tides / coastal storm surge
5%
Landslides / mudslides
75%
Flooding
52%
Increasing heat
38%
Excess rain
36%
Drought
26%
Increasing cold
25%
Wildfires
23%
Increased unpredictability of weather / seasons

What livelihood impacts are migrants facing as a result of extreme weather at source locations?

Migrants from Indonesia report that extreme weather has primarily led to crop losses, followed by job loss and interruption in workdays leading to wage loss. Job loss in Indonesia was considerably higher at source locations. This increasing vulnerability and direct impacts on work could also explain why migrants in Indonesia move for longer durations.

Crop Loss 58% Crop loss
Animal Loss 14% Other
Wage Loss 28% Wage loss
Employment related asset loss 5% Emplyoment related asset loss
Wage Cut 15% Wage cut
Job Loss 37% Job loss

What household impacts are migrants facing as a result of extreme weather events at source locations?

In Indonesia, weather disruptions have led to moderate challenges for rural households. Many reported food insecurity and health-related issues due to extreme weather. Access to essential services such as water and transport was also affected, though large-scale damage or loss was relatively limited. These events highlight the vulnerability of basic infrastructure and wellbeing even in less severe weather episodes.

57%
Food insecurity
37%
Limited or damaged access to water or sanitation
34%
Health related issues
19%
House damaged
13%
Transportation routes in/out of village damaged/slowed
6%
Loss of household assets
5%
No impact faced
How are migrants coping with these livelihood and household impacts due to extreme weather at source locations?
In Indonesia, individuals primarily responded to climate-related livelihood and household disruptions by migrating for work. Many also relied on support from family and friends or used personal savings.
58%
Migration
53%
Support from family and friends
17%
Loan from formal institutions such as banks
15%
Used savings
8%
Loan from informal sources such as moneylenders
8%
Found additional work at the destination
5%
No coping mechanism
5%
Additional family members took on jobs locally
47%
Support from family and friends
35%
Used savings
32%
Found additional work at the destination
22%
No coping mechanisms
14%
Additional family members took on jobs locally
What external support is available to migrants during/after these extreme weather events at source locations?
In Indonesia, many migrants affected by weather-related events have had to rely largely on their own resilience or informal networks. Formal assistance, including from employers or government programs, appears limited. Instead, support from civil society organisations has played a key role in helping affected individuals manage disruptions to their livelihoods and households. The pattern suggests a need to strengthen institutional safety nets and broaden access to structured relief and recovery mechanisms for vulnerable migrant populations.
71%
No assistance received
24%
Emergency relief from CSOs/NGOs
17%
Emergency relief from the government
48%
No assistance received
21%
Emergency relief from CSOs/NGOs
18%
Emergency relief from government
15%
Healthcare services support
12%
Finding an alternate job
12%
Compensation from employers
PCI empowers community-led organizations across South and Southeast Asia. PCI promotes initiatives that work deeply – and at scale – on the ground and leverage this to change systems.
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