Province

East Java

Overview Economy

East Java

East Java is located in the easternmost third of Java island, boasting an area of 48,036.84 square kilometers, making it the largest province among the six provinces on the island of Java. The province comprises 29 regencies and nine municipalities, including Batu, Blitar, Kediri, Madiun, Malang, Mojokerto, Pasuruan, Probolinggo, and Surabaya. Notably, Banyuwangi is East Java’s largest regency, covering an area of 3,502.9 square kilometers, while Mojokerto is the province’s smallest municipality, spanning a mere 20.22 square kilometers. Furthermore, East Java’s capital city, Surabaya, is the second-largest city in Indonesia and serves as a major industrial and business center.

As of 2023, the total population of East Java stands at 41.53 million people, experiencing a 0.77 percent population growth from 2020 to 2023. The majority of this population are Javanese and Madurese. Ethnic diversity is evident in East Java, particularly among the Javanese, who belong to various sub-ethnic groups scattered across the region, except in Situbondo and Bondowoso. As for the Madurese, they predominantly inhabit Madura island and parts of Tapal Kuda in the eastern region, with the Madurese Pendalungan group being prevalent in certain areas. Additionally, minorities of Madurese can be found in most cities, mainly engaged in the informal sector. Other indigenous groups include the Kangean and Bawean people on their respective islands, the Tenggerese in the Tengger Mountains, the Osing in parts of Banyuwangi, and the Samin in some remote areas of Bojonegoro.

In addition to the native population, East Java is home to a diverse range of ethnicities. The Chinese community is notably significant, particularly in urban areas, alongside Arabs, Pakistanis/Punjabis, Indians, and Korean Indonesians. Balinese communities are also present in various villages across Banyuwangi and are minorities in most districts of East Java. Moreover, East Java hosts a sizable expatriate population, predominantly in Surabaya and other industrial zones.  

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East Java’s economy

East Java’s economy has experienced consistent growth over the years. According to data from the East Java Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the province recorded Rp 1.8 trillion of Gross Domestic Regional Product (GRDP) in 2023, making it the second-largest province in Indonesia in terms of GRDP after DKI Jakarta.

In terms of industries, East Java boasts several major players. PT Pal in Surabaya stands out as the largest shipyard in Indonesia, while PT Pindad in Malang specializes in combat equipment, and PT INKA in Madiun stands as the largest railway industry in Southeast Asia. Additionally, in the energy sector, Bojonegoro plays host to the Cepu Block, one of Indonesia’s largest oil producers.

Moreover, PT PJB also manages power generation in East Java, including hydroelectric, coal-fired, and gas-fired power plants, supplying electricity to the Java-Bali grid. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the province’s economic growth in 2023 was mainly supported by the electricity and gas sector, contributing Rp 6.2 billion to the GRDP, followed by the transportation and storage sector with Rp 60.3 billion, as well as other service activities contributing Rp 26.4 billion.

A special economic zone (SEZ) is also being developed in East Java, specifically in Gresik. Benefiting from its geographical advantage, with Madura island serving as a natural breakwater, the Gresik SEZ is a tsunami and earthquake-free industrial zone. The SEZ is said to focus on primary activities such as nickel and steel smelting, electronics, petrochemicals, and energy. It is estimated that the Gresik SEZ will provide employment for approximately 199,818 people by 2030.

Furthermore, East Java hosts national strategic projects (PSNs) in various sectors including toll roads, airports, railways, dams, energy, as well as clean water and sanitation. However, the most prominent sectors of the province’s PSNs are toll roads and dams. Notable toll roads listed in East Java’s PSNs include the Pandaan-Malang toll road, Pasuruan-Probolinggo toll road, Probolinggo-Banyuwangi toll road, Krian-Legundi-Bunder-Manyar toll road, flyover from and to the Teluk Lamong Terminal, and the Ngawi-Kertosono-Kediri toll road. Meanwhile, dams such as the Bendo dam, Gongseng dam, Tukul dam, Semantok dam, Bagong dam, and Karangnongko dam are also included as PSNs.

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Latest News

October 16, 2025

The Ngawi Regency, through its Tourism, Youth, and Sports Agency (Disparpora), organized the 2025 Ngawi Batik Fashion (NBF) on Oct. 4, 2025. It is part of the Tourism Ministry's Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) program for 2025.

NBF's inclusion in the KEN calendar of cultural festivals was a significant achievement for Ngawi batik's position on the national stage.

The event was attended by figures from various regions, including Madiun Regent Hari Wuryanto, Madiun Mayor Maidi, Blora Regency Regional Secretary Komang Gede Irawadi, Pacitan Deputy Regent Gagarin, and representatives from Bojonegoro.

Also in attendance was Miss Indonesia Education and Culture 2024 Melati Tedja, who represented the Tourism Ministry's support for the development of the creative economy in Ngawi.

With "Culture in Harmony" as its theme, NBF 2025 presented a spectacular blend of fashion and culture encompassing a variety of exciting activities.

They include a Ngawi batik fashion show, a batik exhibition, a batik fashion competition, designer and batik workshops, as well as a creative economy bazaar featuring local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The event also combined tourism promotion for Fort van den Bosch, a leading tourist destination in Ngawi Regency. Its selection as the main location for the event was a strategic step in promoting local tourism potential.

This event showcased batik fashion and served as a meeting place for creative industry players, designers, and the youth to further the development of local batik.

Ngawi Regent Ony Anwar Harsono stated that Fort van den Bosch has its own unique appeal worthy of national promotion.

"We want batik and tourism to grow together through NBF. Fort van den Bosch must become a tourism icon that elevates Ngawi's reputation on the national stage," he said.

Ony emphasized that NBF 2025 represented a concrete manifestation of Ngawi Regency Disparpora's commitment to promoting the development of Ngawi batik, both in terms of quality and quantity.

The local government continues to facilitate artisans so they can compete nationally while maintaining the distinctive motifs of Ngawi batik.

Through the event, the Ngawi Regency Government hopes that batik wil be a source of pride and a pillar of the community's economy. NBF 2025 also serves as a learning and creative platform for vocational high school fashion design students in Ngawi, encouraging them to deepen their appreciation for the region's cultural heritage.

"Batik is not just a patterned fabric, but also a [local] identity and pride. We want the youth to continue preserving Ngawi batik and making it part of their modern lifestyle," Ony concluded.

The local government and community are optimistic that Ngawi batik will be increasingly recognized as a cultural heritage capable of competing in the national fashion industry with NBF 2025's inclusion in KEN 2025.

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