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

November 14, 2025

A total of 1,300 gandrung dancers enlivened the 2025 Banyuwangi Gandrung Sewu Festival, which has "The Gandrung Shawl" as its theme, at Marina Boom Beach in Banyuwangi Regency on Oct. 25, 2025.

They include 1,100 dancers from Banyuwangi Regency as well as 200 Gandrung dancers from Pasuruan, Probolinggo, Surabaya, Sidoarjo, Tulungagung, Kediri, Jakarta, Malang, Batu, Situbondo, Jember, Bali, South Sulawesi, South Sumatra, Sorong, and the USA. The event also involved 45 gamelan musicians, 40 coaches, and 100 opening dancers.

The symbolism of "The Gandrung Shawl" is an icon of Banyuwangi that represents a figure who endures loneliness and hope. It depicts the inner journey of a gandrung dancer, from the initial joy of dancing, to the admiration of the audience, to the inner struggle facing social stigma and the sacrifices that must be made.

"The Gandrung Shawl" performance also reveals the meaning of a gandrung dancer's shawl as a symbol of love, burden, and devotion.

Gandrung Sewu Festival 2025 opened with the Kuntulan Kolosal Thaharah dance, an art form born and developed in pesantren (Indonesian Islamic boarding schools).

The colossal dance showcased the beauty of movement and served as a non-verbal means of proselytizing, visualizing the importance of purity as a gateway to perfect worship and moral perfection in everyday life.

Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Rini Widyantini stated that the Gandrung Sewu Festival conveys the message that every great success always comes from sincere togetherness.

She added that Banyuwangi also exemplifies how regions can explore and develop local potential into national and even international attractions.

Rini continued that culture that is passed on with love, professionally managed, and promoted with a spirit of mutual cooperation is a source of pride and prosperity for the people.

Tourism Ministry Domestic Tourism Marketing Assistant Deputy Erwita Dianti stated that Gandrung Sewu Festival 2025 is the fourth edition of the festival to be included among 110 events of Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN), the Tourism Ministry's flagship program, since 2022.

"This proves that the Gandrung Sewu Festival is committed to delivering high-quality events," she said.

Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani stated that this event is both a visual treat and a way to convey the message of Banyuwangi's spirit to the world: that beauty is born from togetherness and strength grows from harmony.

She added that the Gandrung Sewu Festival, which has been held consistently every year since 2012, has become a cultural icon of Banyuwangi Regency.

Gandrung dance has also been included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

"This is recognition that Gandrung Banyuwangi belongs not only to Indonesia, but to the world," said Ipuk.

She explained that the Gandrung Sewu Festival is a strategy to increase tourism and a driving force for economic growth, benefiting art studios, hotels and homestays, transportation businesses, as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)

"Gandrung Sewu is a showcase for the consolidation of all Regional Work Units (SKPD) and is a grand gathering and collaboration that has already shown results," Ipuk concluded.

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