Province

South Sulawesi

Overview Economy

Sulawesi - South Sulawesi

Located on the southern peninsula of Sulawesi Island, South Sulawesi is a province surrounded by several bodies of water and other provinces. To the north, it shares a border with Central Sulawesi and West Sulawesi. On the east, it is bordered by the Gulf of Bone and Southeast Sulawesi, while to the south, the Flores Sea laps the province’s shores.

Covering an area of 46,717 square kilometers, South Sulawesi is home to 9.3 million people, making it the most populous province on the island. Makassar, previously called Ujung Pandang, serves as the province’s capital city and is known as a major port city and center for trade and commerce. It is also recognized as one of the four most important cities in Indonesia for economic growth, alongside Medan, Jakarta, and Surabaya.

Given its large population, South Sulawesi features a diverse mix of ethnicities, religions, and languages. The main ethnic groups in the province include the Bugis, Makassar, Toraja, and Mandar people. In terms of religious beliefs, approximately 89 percent of the population adhere to Islam, followed by 7 percent following Christianity, less than 2 percent practicing Hinduism, and less than 1 percent following other beliefs.

Indonesian serves as the official language of the province. However, South Sulawesi also features a rich tapestry of local languages, with fourteen different local languages existing throughout the region. These languages, including Toraja, Bugis, Makassar, Mandar, Massenrempulu, and Lemolang, as well as Rampi, Seko, Bugis De, Wotu, and Bajo, contribute to the region's rich cultural legacy, each with its own distinctive qualities.

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Economic

As of 2023, South Sulawesi’s economy has been thriving, having acquired Rp 377 trillion in Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). The province’s economic landscape is primarily driven by the construction sector, contributing Rp 46 trillion to the province’s GRDP. Additionally, agriculture ranks second, contributing Rp 42 trillion, followed by the fisheries sector with Rp 29 trillion.

South Sulawesi is poised for a significant economic boost, particularly due to the region’s booming construction sector. The province’s strategic investments in infrastructure development include modernized transportation networks, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. Additionally, South Sulawesi has several national strategic projects (PSN) underway, with two completed PSNs focused on the province’s infrastructure, namely the Makassar New Port, which serves as the backbone of maritime transportation in eastern Indonesia, and the Makassar-Parepare Railway, facilitating travel between Makassar and Parepare.

Agriculture-wise, South Sulawesi stands out as an eastern Indonesian powerhouse for food crop production. Crops are the highest contributor to the province’s agricultural GRDP, with food crops contributing nearly 50 percent of the Rp 42 trillion generated by the agricultural sector. Key food crops produced by South Sulawesi include paddy, corn, soya beans, cassava, sweet potato, and mung beans.

Furthermore, the fishing industry saw significant production in 2023, with 492,159 tonnes harvested, surpassing the 436,735 tonnes produced the year before. Most of the catch comes from saltwater fisheries rather than freshwater fisheries.

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Latest News

July 16, 2025

Bus transport service state-owned enterprise (SOE) DAMRI and the South Sulawesi Provincial Government launched the Trans Sulsel bus service at the Center Point of Indonesia (CPI) in Makassar City, South Sulawesi on July 14, 2025. The launch was attended by South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman and Deputy Governor Fatmawati Rusdi, as well as South Sulawesi Transportation Office Head Andi Erwin Terwo and DAMRI President Director Setia N. Milatia Moemin.

DAMRI President Director Setia N. Milatia Moemin stated that Trans Sulsel is a long-term solution to address traffic congestion and improve the quality of life for local communities in the province.

"Trans Sulsel is here as an integrated transportation system that not only connects strategic points such as airports, ports, and train stations, but also addresses the mobility needs of the Makassar metropolitan area's urban residents with an affordable and safe service," she said.

Trans Sulsel has two transportation corridors. Corridor 1 serves the Panakkukang Square–Galesong Harbor route with 13 active buses and one reserve bus. Meanwhile, Corridor 2 connects the Universitas–Mandai Train Station via the Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar City with 12 active buses and one reserve bus.

Setia added that the Trans Sulsel bus service is enhanced by cutting-edge technology. The bus tracking system is available through the DAMRI App, while operational management is centralized in the Trans Sulsel control room. She said the technologies implemented provides a safer and more efficient driving experience for service users.

This launch is expected to have a broad social impact, from students heading to and from their schools, traders and business going about their business activities, to tourists heading towards their favorite destinations in South Sulawesi.

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