Jakarta has been recognised as the world’s largest urban area in 2025, marking a defining moment in Indonesia’s urban and economic development. The announcement comes in the same year that Indonesia formally joined BRICS as a full member, highlighting the country’s growing significance in the Global South. For decades, Jakarta has been regarded as a significant megacity, playing an important role in Southeast Asia’s financial, industrial, and cultural development. Its growing urbanisation and diversified population have kept it firmly in the global focus.
The city also acts as a gateway to Indonesia’s rapidly expanding technology and creative sectors, attracting investors and international companies. Indonesia’s BRICS membership supports its objectives for trade expansion, infrastructure development, and digital transformation. Indonesia strengthens the BRICS union by providing strategic access to Southeast Asia and economic depth.
Jakarta’s scale reflects Indonesia’s thriving digital economy, which is expected to reach USD 360 billion by 2030. Thousands of startups, extensive digital payments, and fintech innovation have transformed the city into a testing ground for future-ready solutions. Together, these achievements highlight Indonesia’s growing significance in driving global economic development.
