Province

Yogyakarta

Special Region of Yogyakarta

In southern Java, the Special Region of Yogyakarta stands as a provincial-level autonomous region and is the only officially recognized diarchy within the government of Indonesia. With a land area of just 3,170 square kilometers, it is the second-smallest province-level entity in the country after Jakarta. The region’s capital city, also named Yogyakarta, remains the only Indonesian royal city still under the rule of a monarchy, namely the Yogyakarta Sultanate.

Furthermore, the Special Region of Yogyakarta is renowned as a significant center for classical Javanese fine arts and culture such as ballet, batik textiles, drama, literature, music, poetry, silversmithing, visual arts, and wayang puppetry. The region is also a renowned center of Indonesian education, home to dozens of schools and universities and the largest student population in the country.

As of 2023, the population of the Special Region of Yogyakarta amounted to 3.7 million people, with a density of 1,173 people per square kilometer. The major ethnic group residing in the region is the Javanese, followed by Sundanese, Malay, Chinese, Batak, Madura, and Minangkabau, among others. Meanwhile, in terms of religion, the majority of the population adheres to Islam, though a significant portion of the indigenous Javanese community is also Christian or Catholic. Other religious groups present in the Special Region of Yogyakarta include Buddhism, Hinduism, and various other beliefs.

Show more

Special Region of Yogyakarta’s economy

The Special Region of Yogyakarta boasts a robust economy, with its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in 2023 reaching Rp 118.6 trillion. Among the key contributors to this thriving economy are the manufacturing sector, agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector, and the accommodation and food service sector.

The manufacturing sector contributed Rp 13.4 billion to the region’s 2023 GRDP, dominated by contributions from the manufacture of food products and beverages, amounting to Rp 7.3 billion. The agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors contributed Rp 8.3 billion, with Rp 3.2 billion coming from food crops. In addition, the accommodation and food service sector contributed Rp 11.1 billion, with Rp 9.2 billion coming from food and beverage services.

The region also hosts several national strategic projects (PSN) covering various sectors, including toll roads, airports, dams, railways, industrial zones, energy, as well as clean water and sanitation. These PSNs include the Yogyakarta-Bawen toll road, the Solo-Yogyakarta-YIA Kulon Progo toll road, the Yogyakarta-Kulon Progo airport, as well as the Development Program of the National Strategic Tourism Area (DPSP) Borobudur.

Show more

Latest News

October 3, 2025

The 2025 Market of Nostalgia Yogyakarta officially took place at the Yogyakarta Cultural Park (TBY) in Yogyakarta City, Yogyakarta Special Capital Region (DIY) on Sep. 18–24, 2025, with 218 vendors selected  from a total of 1,136 applicants.

In her opening remarks on Sep. 18, 2025, TBY Chairman Purwiati stated that the participants included 152 traditional culinary stalls and 66 craft and antique stalls.

With "Nandur Opo Sing Dipangan, Mangan Opo Sing Ditandur" (Plant What You Eat, Eat What You Plant) as its theme, Market of Nostalgia Yogyakarta 2025 reminded visitors of the relationship between humans and nature.

The market's theme emphasized that humans are not merely consumers but also responsible for preserving, restoring, and maintaining every natural resource they enjoy.

Market of Nostalgia Yogyakarta 2025 is also expected to serve as a platform for education, empowerment, and strengthening the life philosophy inherited from local ancestors. Various daily activities, such as folk arts performances and workshops, enlivened the event.

The philosophy was also reflected in the traditional snacks offered by the vendors. Eva Utami, a tiwul (a dish based on cassava and brown sugar) seller with Tiwul Ayu, explained that she involves local farmers in sourcing cassava for her tiwul.

"Tiwul is made from cassava. The production process involves grinding the cassava, drying it in the sun, steaming it, and then molding it like this." She said, showing the process to the interviewer. "The cassava is usually supplied by farmers," Eva explained.

Uci Handayani, a seller of corn jenang (a chewy snack usually based on sticky rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar) with Jenang Jagung Mbah Bayan, also sources her raw materials from local farmers.

The ground corn for her jenang is mixed with grated coconut to create a sweet and savory porridge dish. The recipe was passed down from her grandparents, who have been selling at traditional markets since the 1970s.

"Because [the theme is] food security, we can plant corn, tubers, and they can be used as alternatives to rice," said Uci when interviewed regarding the choice of corn jenang as a menu item.

DIY Culture Office Head Dian Lakshmi Pratiwi considered the theme to be consistent with the philosophy of toto, titi, tanam, tuwuh.

"In every song of life, we must be orderly and regular, Titi is thorough and careful, Plant efforts and endeavors, and can produce Tuwuh to grow and develop," she said.

Lakshmi explained that the philosophy meant the principles of orderliness, thoroughness, and caution in building a business or in other aspects of life will result in growth and development.

"Through Market of Nostalgia Yogyakarta 2025, I hope the public will become more familiar with, appreciate, and utilize agricultural products, whether grown by ourselves and produced by local farmers. In this way, we will strengthen local food security and sovereignty, as well as maintain the continuity between agrarian culture and modern life," she concluded.

Read more
Load more