Province

Southeast Sulawesi

Overview Economy

Sulawesi - Southeast Sulawesi

Situated on the southeastern tip of Sulawesi Island, Southeast Sulawesi is a province in Indonesia that was originally part of South and Southeast Sulawesi province. In 1964, the region’s administrative structure changed with the enactment of Law No. 13/1964, which formally separated Southeast Sulawesi, granting it the status of a province.

The province boasts a significant landmass of 36,159 square kilometers and a vast maritime territory spanning 110,000 square kilometers. As of 2023, the province is home to 2,749,010 people, with Kendari, the bustling capital city, serving as the administrative hub for this province. Southeast Sulawesi is divided into 15 districts and two cities.

Southeast Sulawesi’s population is predominantly composed of indigenous people, including the Tolaki, Buton, Wawonii, and Banggai tribes. While the province is rich in ethnicity, its religious landscape is predominantly Islamic, with over 95 percent of the population adhering to Islam. Other religions, such as Hinduism, account for 1.8 percent, alongside Christianity at 1.6 percent, and Catholics at 0.6 percent of the population.

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Economic Description

In 2022, Southeast Sulawesi’s economy showcased a diversified structure with a Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of IDR 102 trillion. Leading the contribution was the mining sector at Rp 18 trillion. With the province rich in nickel and holding large reserves, this sector leverages Southeast Sulawesi’s rich mineral resources, forming the backbone of the province’s economic activities.

Subsequently, Southeast Sulawesi will take part in the national smelter development program to generate jobs in the region and further support Indonesia’s nickel sector. These efforts position the province as a potentially significant economic center in the future.

Despite the province’s strength in mining, agriculture remains a significant player, with a GRDP of Rp 12 trillion in 2022. Endowed with high-quality cocoa, Southeast Sulawesi presents itself as a province with substantial agricultural prospects. Notably, Indonesia is known for being the third-largest cocoa producer in the world. According to data from the Directorate General of Plantation of the Agriculture Ministry, in its 2020-2022 report, the country’s cocoa production has soared above 700,000 tonnes annually for the past five years, with Sulawesi and Sumatra leading production, contributing nearly 80 percent of the nation’s total output.

Moreover, Southeast Sulawesi capitalizes on its extensive coastline with a thriving fisheries sector, contributing Rp 11 trillion to the GRDP. Nestled between the Flores and Banda Seas, the province boasts significant potential in marine and fishery resources, resulting in a wealth of diverse fishery products. This signifies a well-developed fishing industry that harnesses the abundant marine resources of the region.

Additionally, the Indonesian government has designated Southeast Sulawesi for multiple national strategic projects (PSN), setting it up for a significant development push in 2024. To draw in investment and boost employment in the area, four industrial zones are underway throughout the regencies of Konawe and Kolaka. Furthermore, two dams will also be constructed in East Kolaka and Konawe to supply water for irrigation and potentially generate energy.

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Latest News

September 10, 2025

The Wowine Festival in Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province was held again with great fanfare in Aug. 22-24, 2025. The annual festival is listed in the Tourism Ministry's Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) 2025 calendar of cultural festivals.

Wowine Festival 2025 showcased two cultural traditions that reflected the resilience of Wakatobi women, namely the kasonda'a procession and the hekente traditional attraction.

During the kasonda'a procession, dozens of young women adorned in brightly colored traditional clothing and accessories were paraded on large wooden palanquins around Merdeka Square in Wangi-Wangi Island, Wakatobi Regency.

Throughout the journey, the girls sang and shouted while occasionally being rocked in various directions on the palanquin. However, they were required to not show fear as a symbol of the maturity and resilience of Wakatobi women.

In addition, the festival also features the hekente attraction, a traditional fishing tradition during low tide. The activity is typically carried out by women to support their families and to reflect their independence in supporting their households.

Southeast Sulawesi Deputy Governor Hugua emphasized on Aug. 26, 2025, that the Wowine Festival is an event that truly reflected women's resilience.

"When the men are away for a year, the women can support their child [financially]. The regent and I are able to go to school because our mothers and fathers sometimes have to travel away, only returning after a year," he said.

He added that the resilience of Wakatobi women extends not only within the household, but also in maintaining social and cultural harmony in the community.

"The mothers cultivate social life in the community. All cultural issues are also affected by their role," Hugua concluded.

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