Indonesian

people

Also known as: Austronesian

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

The Indonesian population is incredibly diverse, with over 300 ethnic groups and twice as many languages, reflecting a history of cultural confluence. Most Indonesians are of Malay ancestry and speak Austronesian languages, with Islam being the predominant religion.1234

The national motto, "Bhinneka tunggal ika," meaning "Unity in diversity," encapsulates this rich tapestry of peoples and cultures. While Islam is practiced by the majority, significant Christian populations exist, and Hinduism is prominent on Bali. The Indonesian language, Bahasa Indonesia, serves as a unifying force, evolving from Malay and facilitating communication across the archipelago.1234

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Madagascar
People
…and culture point unequivocally to Indonesian origins, but there is no empirical evidence of how, why, or by what route the first settlers came to the island. Although studies of the winds and currents of the Indian Ocean indicate that the voyage from Indonesia could have been made, there is…
Read More
…and culture point unequivocally to Indonesian origins, but there is no empirical evidence of how, why, or by what route the first settlers came to the island. Although studies of the winds and currents of the Indian Ocean indicate that the voyage from Indonesia could have been made, there is…
Read More