Facts About Indonesia

Halo! That’s “hello” in Indonesian, the most commonly spoken language in Indonesia. This country in Southeast Asia is known for its beaches and volcanic islands. Learn more facts about Indonesia here. 

A landscape shows homes amid trees with a storm cloud in the background.

5 Fun Facts About Indonesia

Here are some fun facts about Indonesia: 

Map of where Indonesia is located.

Where Is Indonesia?

Indonesia is located in Southeast Asia between the Indian and Pacific oceans. Indonesia shares maritime borders with several other countries, including Thailand and the Philippines. 

Key Challenges in Indonesia & Our Response

As you learned above, Indonesia is one of the most populous countries in the world. And out of the millions who call the country home, many live in poverty. In fact, many children face poverty’s devastating consequences, from lacking medical care to suffering violence. 

Moms and Babies Lack Critical Care 

Indonesia’s infant mortality rate is about 15.1 per 1,000 live births in 2025 (Macrotrends), down from 17.0 in 2023 (FRED). By comparison, the U.S. rate was 5.61 in 2023 (CDC), making Indonesia’s rate roughly 2.7 times higher.

Sadly, many moms in Indonesia can’t get medical care, quality nutrition or even birth attendants to give their babies the best chance at life. And even if babies survive birth, the same lack of care and nutrition threatens their lives as they grow. 

Our Response: Providing Medical Care, Nutrition Support & More 

The churches we serve in Indonesia have adopted Compassion’s Survival program. Through this program, we offer prenatal care, counseling and community support to pregnant moms. We also help moms care for their new babies through the first year of life, which is a critical time for establishing a child’s health. 

Once babies celebrate their first birthday, they’re then eligible to be sponsored by someone like you. Through sponsorship, little ones receive medical care, nutrition support and more, helping them grow healthy and strong. 

Violence Threatens the Lives of Children  

Violence against children is prevalent throughout Indonesia. According to recent data, one in three women and girls experience violence in their lifetime. And more than a third of boys will suffer physical violence. 

Violence of any kind hurts children, not just physically but also emotionally and spiritually. Children often suffer trauma that lasts throughout their lifetime, stealing their hope. 

Our Response: Protecting Children From Violence 

The children in Compassion’s program are known, loved and protected. Staff and volunteers at Compassion centers are trained to see the signs of violence and intervene quickly. 

We also help the children we serve understand their rights and use their voices to stand up for themselves and others around them. 

Our Impact in Indonesia

Compassion has served impoverished children and families throughout Indonesia for over five decades. In that time, we’ve released thousands of children from poverty in Jesus’ name through child sponsorship. 

165,116

children served (and counting).

734

churches serving.

55

years serving.

A young man is blurred while holding a flower in his hand.

Oka: From Outcast to Hope Giver

Oka grew up in a Christian household, making him an outcast within his community and subjecting him to poverty. Now, Oka runs a bed and breakfast in the same town, delivering hope to those in need. 

Young girl wears a white fencing uniform while holding her foil in the air and smiling.

Young Fencer Dreams of Helping Others

Girls in the Compassion program are reaching for their dreams through sports. Elsya, an aspiring fencer, is using the sport to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor or pharmacist, enabling her to rise above poverty. 

Fight Child Poverty: Give Right-Now Care & Eternal Hope

Nutritious food. Medical care. Protection from harm. Hope. These are just some of the critical, right-now needs of children living in poverty. Help us fight child poverty by meeting these needs and sharing the lasting hope of the gospel. 

Sponsor a Child

By sponsoring a child, you empower a local church to share the gospel by meeting the needs of a child’s body, mind and spirit. Through sponsorship, you’ll help deliver medical care, hygiene training, education, malnutrition monitoring and so much more to a child in need. 

Pray

Jeremiah 33:3 says that if we call on God, he will answer us. When we lift up children living in poverty, God hears us, and we can trust he’s working on their behalf. Join us in praying daily for children living in poverty by becoming a prayer partner.

Donate

Children living in poverty face many challenges, from a lack of medical care to dangerous living conditions. You can provide immediate support by donating to fulfill a right-now need.