In early September 2019 the World Bank released a report titled Global Economic Risks and Implications for Indonesia that paints a somewhat negative picture of Indonesia’s economic growth in the foreseeable future. The Washington-based institution noted that it expects Indonesia’s economic expansion to continue slowing up to (at least) 2022; from a realized growth pace of 5.2 percent year-on-year (y/y) in 2018 to 4.6 percent (y/y) in 2022.

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Indonesia managed to rise sharply in the ranks of the World Bank's latest Logistics Performance Index (LPI). In the 2018 edition, which was released on Tuesday (24/07), Indonesia ranked 46th, up from 63rd in the preceding edition (released in 2016).

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In the World Bank's latest Indonesia Economic Quarterly (June 2018 edition) there are plenty of positive words about the Indonesian economy, such as robust economic growth, low inflation, rising investment, growing government spending, and prudent monetary policy. However, the World Bank also detects some "substantial and mostly external" risks that lurk about. Below is the summary of the World Bank's latest Indonesia Economic Quarterly, entitled "Learning More, Growing Faster".

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Two international events are estimated to have a significant impact on the Indonesian economy in 2018. Firstly, the 2018 Asian Games, to be held from 18 August to 2 September 2018 in - and around - the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang. Secondly, the 2018 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group, to be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, on 12-14 October 2018. Both events will trigger foreign exchange earnings and give rise to a boost in economic activity.

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In its latest East Asia and Pacific Economic Update, the World Bank is optimistic about Indonesia's recent economic performance as well as its future prospects. The country's FY-2017 gross domestic product (GDP) expanded at the fastest pace in four years, led by stronger investment and net exports. Meanwhile, its current account deficit narrowed to a six-year low, while the central government's budget deficit reached the lowest since 2014, on the back of stronger global trade and strengthening commodity prices.

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The World Bank released the December 2017 edition of its flagship publication "Indonesia Economic Quarterly" on Thursday (14/12). This latest edition, which is titled "Decentralization that delivers", paints a positive picture about Indonesia's economic growth and financial system stability for the year 2018 and beyond.

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On 26 March 2017, 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 over the last seven days. Most of the topics involve economy-related topics such as a new World Bank report about the Indonesian economy, the steel industry, the automotive sector, crude palm oil exports, inflation, and more.

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According to the World Bank the economy of Indonesia will continue to accelerate in 2017 supported by strengthening global economic growth, overall rising commodity prices (meaning investment and export performance should improve), the nation's low current account deficit, low inflation, and strong fundamentals of the Indonesian economy. These circumstances should boost Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 5.2 percent year-on-year (y/y) in 2017 (from 5.0 percent in the preceding year).

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The World Bank released the January 2017 edition of its Indonesia Economic Quarterly (IEQ), titled "Sustaining Reform Momentum", on Tuesday (17/01). In this report the Washington-based institution says Indonesia’s reforms to fiscal policy and the investment climate are expected to boost the local economy. Therefore, the World Bank maintains its economic growth rate for Indonesia in 2017 at 5.3 percent (y/y). However, it also emphasizes that Indonesia - like the rest of the international community - is also plagued by uncertainty in global economic policy and global financial market volatility.

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Rising private sector investment and strengthening commodity prices are the correct ingredients that can trigger accelerated economic growth in several Southeast Asian nations in 2017. In a report entitled "Global Economic Prospects: Weak Investment in Uncertain Times", which was released on Tuesday (10/01), the World Bank set its forecast for Indonesia's economic growth at 5.3 percent year-on-year (y/y) in 2017, followed by a 5.5 percent (y/y) growth rate in both 2018 and 2019, up from an estimated growth rate of 5.1 percent (y/y) in 2016.

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In its latest report, the World Bank stated that Indonesia's macroeconomic fundamentals are solid and have been strengthening amid the central government's eagerness to implement critical structural reforms, while investment growth rose to the highest levels since the last quarter of 2015 (mainly investment in buildings and structures).

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The latest World Bank projection shows the economy of Indonesia remains promising despite the Washington-based institution having lowered its forecast for Indonesia's full-year 2017 gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 0.1 percentage point to 5.2 percent year-on-year (y/y) in the June 2017 edition of its Global Economic Prospect. The World Bank emphasized the Indonesian economy remains relatively strong and is among the most promising emerging markets.

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When visiting Indonesia for the first time as World Bank Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific, Victoria Kwakwa stated that the World Bank is committed to support Indonesia’s efforts to achieve higher economic growth and greater prosperity for its +250 million people. During her visit, Kwakwa met various government officials and stakeholders, including Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Chief Economics Minister Darmin Nasution, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, as well as representatives from civil society, opinion leaders, analysts and the private sector.

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Indonesia climbed 15 places in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index 2017 from 106 to 91, hence being among the ten biggest climbers. Overall, the World Bank saw a record 137 economies around the globe adopting key reforms that make it easier to start and operate small and medium-sized businesses. The World Bank released its latest index, titled “Doing Business 2017: Equal Opportunity for All” on Wednesday (26/10).

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In the October 2016 edition of its flagship Indonesia Economic Quarterly (IEQ) report, titled "Easing Pressures", the World Bank is positive about Indonesia's improved fiscal management and its impact on the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) growth. The Washington-based institution projects Indonesia's economic expansion at 5.1 percent (y/y) in 2016. However, it emphasizes that external risks (sluggish global economic growth and global market volatility) continue to pose a threat.

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The World Bank estimates that by 2025 Indonesia will have 68 percent of its population living in cities or urban communities. As such, Indonesia’s cities are among the fastest growing cities in the world. However, without a unified spatial data system, urban planning is a daunting task while urbanization challenges become harder to predict. The World Bank's City Planning Labs project provides support for the development of a single spatial data infrastructure in the cities of Indonesia.

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A new financial management system was launched in April 2015 by the Indonesian government. This new system, called Sistem Perbendaharaan dan Anggaran Negara (abbreviated SPAN), aims to enhance public efficiency, transparency and accountability in Indonesia by managing the financial transactions of more than 24,000 government spending units in all 33 provinces. According to a new World Bank story, Indonesia's new financial system has managed to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability. Moreover, it improves budget planning and spending.

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While Indonesia is currently in the middle of expanding its 4G network, the nation remains placed among the countries that have the poorest Internet penetration rate in the world. A recent World Bank report, titled 'World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends', zooms in on the economic and social impact that occurs when a relative large part of the population cannot be connected to the Internet or when the government fails to keep pace with the growth of technology.

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Although the government of Indonesia aims to lower the country's Gini coefficient to 39 in 2016, there continue to be more reports that see income inequality in Indonesia widening rather than declining. For example, a recent World Bank report notes that Indonesia's Gini coefficient rose from 30 in 2000 to 41 in 2015 (a reading of 0 represents perfect equality, while a reading of 100 represents perfect inequality). This rising trend will continue if the government fails to tackle this issue.

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Today, the World Bank released the latest edition of its flagship publication Indonesia Economic Quarterly, entitled "Reforming amid Uncertainty". In this edition the Washington-based institution states that global conditions remain unfavorable despite financial markets having stabilized since October. Meanwhile, the country was negatively affected by severe man-made forest fires and toxic haze which cost Indonesia an estimated IDR 221 trillion (USD $16 billion or 1.9 percent of the country's gross domestic product) in five months.

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