Province

North Kalimantan

Overview Economy

North Kalimantan, diversity in numbers

Situated on the island of Borneo, North Kalimantan is a province formed in 2012 under Law No. 20/2012 on the Establishment of North Kalimantan Province to reduce development disparities from East Kalimantan. The capital of North Kalimantan is Tanjung Selor, located on the eastern coast of the province. Meanwhile, the largest city, Tarakan, serves as the financial center.

Covering 70,101 square kilometers, North Kalimantan consists of four regencies and one city. It was once dubbed as the least populous province in Indonesia, prior to the creation of South Papua in 2022. As of 2023, however, it is estimated that North Kalimantan had a population of 730,010 people, representing various ethnicities including indigenous Kalimantan people such as Dayak, Tidung, Malay, Kutai, and Banjar, as well as migrant groups such as Bugis, Javanese, Bajau, Manjar, Minahasa, Buton, and Gorontalo. Other ethnic groups such as the Madurese, Makassar, Toraja, Chinese, Bawean, Balinese, and Suluk/Tausug people also reside in the province.

Based on the 2023 Census, North Kalimantan is home to 73.36 percent of the Muslim population, followed by 26.02 percent of Christians, where 19.44 percent are Protestants and 6.58 percent are Catholics. Most of the Christian population in North Kalimantan resides in Malinau. The remaining religious groups in the province are 0.54 percent Buddhists, 0.05 percent Hindus, 0.02 percent Konghucu, and 0.01 percent indigenous faiths.

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North Kalimantan’s economy and leading sectors

North Kalimantan has seen a positive increase in the province’s economy. According to data from the North Kalimantan Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the province’s economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2023 experienced a growth of 4.94 percent, making it the second-highest economic growth on the island of Kalimantan. Furthermore, the province’s Regional Gross Domestic Product (GRDP) in 2022 amounted to Rp 66 trillion with contribution from the mining sector quoted as the largest at Rp 17 trillion.

The province’s geographical condition also benefits the province in developing its fisheries sector, utilizing its marine resources and abundant fish cultivation for both domestic consumption and overseas export. Consequently, this sector, which also includes forestry and agriculture, has contributed to North Kalimantan’s economic growth, with a contribution of Rp 11 trillion to the province’s 2022 GRDP.

Furthermore, North Kalimantan has recorded potential in its exports. In 2021, the province exported a total of 20.8 million tonnes valued at US$164 billion. The majority of this amount, accounting for 20.7 million tonnes, comprised mineral fuels, mineral oils, and their distillation products, bituminous substances, and mineral waxes, totaling US$163.8 billion. Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes came next, totaling 16,275 tonnes worth US$134 million, followed by fisheries at 12,209 tonnes with a value of US$28.7 million.

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Latest News

December 29, 2025

North Kalimantan Governor Zainal A. Paliwang received a visit from an International Agricultural Technology Exchange Association (IATEA) delegation from South Korea at the North Kalimantan Governor's Office on Dec. 17, 2025. The visit was held to discuss investment cooperation opportunities in the agriculture and fisheries sectors of North Kalimantan; including stevia production and processing, whole grain or wheat development, and seaweed processing.

In addition, the IATEA delegation also outlined potential collaboration in the application of superior agricultural, livestock, fisheries, and food manufacturing technologies developed in South Korea.

During the discussion, Zainal welcomed the delegation of investors from South Korea and expressed his appreciation for IATEA's interest in investing in North Kalimantan. He noted that the province has significant and strategic natural resource potential, particularly in the agriculture and fisheries sectors which remain open for development through investment and technology transfer.

Zainal emphasized that the North Kalimantan Provincial Government is committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and sustainable investment climate. He added that the provincial government is ready to provide support by facilitating the permit process and establishing cross-sector synergies to accelerate investment realization, which will have a direct impact on improving local community welfare.

Zainal also hopes that the collaboration will not only focus on the business, but also involve increasing the capacity of local human resources, creating employment, and developing environmentally friendly technologies in line with the principles of sustainable development in North Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, representatives from the IATEA delegation expressed their interest and commitment to exploring long-term investment opportunities in North Kalimantan. The delegation assessed that province has significant potential for developing agricultural and fishery commodities based on modern technology, while also serving as a strategic partner in supporting food security and the development of the food manufacturing sector.

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