What are the average age and life expectancy in Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country? To begin with the conclusion: the average age in Indonesia is approximately 15 years younger than in Japan, and the average life expectancy is about 15 years shorter for women and nearly 20 years shorter for men.

In Japan, especially in regional cities and rural areas, it is common to see a large number of elderly people due to the effects of an aging population. In contrast, in Indonesia, you will frequently encounter young people throughout the cities.

However, in recent years, the rapid economic development has gradually begun to change the situation. Let us explore the current state of Indonesia by looking at its average age and life expectancy.

Differences in Average Age Between Indonesia and Japan

In a comparison of average age in 2019, Indonesia stood at 32.1 years, while Japan was at 47.4 years—a gap of 15 years.

When walking through the streets of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, one is struck by the overwhelming presence of young people. Most convenience store and supermarket clerks, as well as cleaners in apartment complexes and office buildings, are young. First-time visitors from Japan to Jakarta are often surprised by this.

As a “young country,” Indonesia continues to experience population growth. However, the population growth rate is slowing, and the average age is gradually increasing. It is projected that by 2050, the average age will be in the late 30s. Nevertheless, compared to present-day Japan, Indonesia remains significantly younger.

Average Age

Country	Average Age
Indonesia	32.1 years
Japan	47.4 years

Source 1: Worldometer, “Indonesia Population”
Source 2: National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, Population Statistics Collection (2021)

Differences in Life Expectancy Between Indonesia and Japan

According to Indonesia’s Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), the average life expectancy in Indonesia in 2021 was 73.5 years. Specifically, it was 60.67 years for men and 73.55 years for women. While the country ranks around 110th to 120th globally—falling short of developed nations—it has shown steady annual growth.

Source 1: Databoks, “Harapan Hidup Penduduk Indonesia Meningkat, Rerata Mencapai Usia Ini”
Source 2: BPS, “Angka Harapan Hidup (AHH) Menurut Provinsi dan Jenis Kelamin (Tahun), 2019–2021”

In contrast, Japan, according to the “2020 Abridged Life Tables” published by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, had an average life expectancy of 81.64 years for men and 87.74 years for women in 2020, making it the world’s leading country in longevity.

Life Expectancy

Gender	Indonesia	Japan
Male	60.67 years	81.64 years
Female	73.55 years	87.74 years

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Reasons Behind Indonesia’s Younger Average Age and Shorter Life Expectancy

Indonesia’s average age is younger, and its life expectancy is shorter than that of Japan. In this section, we will explore the reasons behind these figures and discuss the future outlook based on the current state of the country.

1. High Birth Rate

One of the main reasons for Indonesia’s younger average age is its high birth rate, which has resulted in a population rich in children and young people.

Total Fertility Rate: 2.45

According to Indonesia’s National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), the total fertility rate (TFR) in 2018 was 2.45. Even in urban areas, it is not uncommon to see families with three children.

The Indonesian government, alarmed by explosive population growth, has implemented a “Family Planning Program” since 1970. As part of this program, contraceptives have been distributed through hospitals and local clinics, contraceptive injections have been administered, and awareness campaigns have been promoted through media and community groups.

Although the program has been in place for 50 years, it has not always progressed smoothly due to changing social conditions. Nevertheless, the decline in TFR from 5.7 in 1960 to 2.45 today indicates that it has achieved a certain level of success.

For reference, Japan’s TFR in 2021 was 1.30. Japan’s rate was around 2.5 in the 1950s.

Source 1: BERITA SATU, “BKKBN Ungkap Dua Tantangan Turunkan Angka Kelahiran”
Source 2: The Conversation, “Angka kelahiran di Indonesia masih tinggi, mengapa mayoritas laki-laki ogah ikut KB”
Source 3: Cabinet Office of Japan, “Declining Number of Births and Falling Birth Rate”

The Cultural Expectation That “Women Should Marry and Give Birth”

Despite the long-standing “Family Planning Program,” the birth rate remains high. One reason is the low average age of first marriage.

Among Indonesians, there is still a prevailing belief that “becoming an adult means getting married and having children,” and that “marriage is more important for women than education or career.” In rural areas, it is not uncommon for women to marry after graduating from high school. Even among the highly educated in urban areas, it is typical to marry within two to three years of graduating from university.

According to Indonesia’s Central Bureau of Statistics, 48.59% of women who married in 2020 were between the ages of 19 and 24. When people marry and have children at younger ages, it naturally results in a lower national average age.

Source: Databoks, “Mayoritas Perempuan Indonesia Menikah Usia 19–24 Tahun”

However, in recent years, more young people are choosing to delay marriage.

Although somewhat dated, data show that the percentage of unmarried women aged 35 to 39 rose from just 1.4% in 1970 to 3.8% in 2010. Among men, the rate increased from 10.02% in 2000 to 11.58% in 2010.

One factor contributing to the delay in marriage among youth—especially women—is the rise in higher education and greater participation in society. The number of female university graduates in 2019 was three times higher than 20 years earlier. The percentage of working women also increased from the 30% range to over 50%. As first marriage age and the rate of lifelong singleness increase, the average national age is also expected to rise.

Source: VICE, “Angka Lajang Muda Indonesia Meningkat, Ini Alasan Favorit Mereka Menunda Pernikahan”

2. A High Number of Early Deaths

Indonesia’s younger average age and shorter life expectancy are also influenced by the fact that many people do not live to old age. Several factors contribute to this limited longevity, including the following:

Many People Do Not Visit Hospitals

Indonesia introduced a national health insurance system called BPJS in 2014. Although enrollment is officially mandatory, the participation rate as of 2022 was 86%. This marks an improvement from the initial rate of approximately 52%, but 14% of the population still remains uninsured. Furthermore, about 20% of registered members are classified as inactive, often due to unpaid premiums, which prevents them from using the system.

In other words, even with a national health insurance system in place, there are still people who do not—or cannot—visit hospitals. Some avoid medical care even when they can afford it, simply because they do not feel it is worth the cost.

It is also common to hear that family members, such as parents or siblings, avoid injections and thus refuse COVID-19 vaccinations. Some stop hypertension treatment out of inconvenience, while others decline care for high blood sugar levels due to a lack of noticeable symptoms. The reality is that a significant portion of the population avoids going to the hospital unless absolutely necessary, and this certainly impacts life expectancy.

Source 1: Data Indonesia, “Peserta BPJS Kesehatan Capai 229,51 Juta hingga November 2021”
Source 2: KOMPAS TV, “Pemerintah Targetkan 98 Persen Penduduk Indonesia Terdaftar BPJS Kesehatan Per 2024!”

Underdeveloped Healthcare Compared to Japan

While access to hospitals has improved thanks to BPJS, the quality of medical care in Indonesia remains below that of Japan.

Patients often encounter doctors who casually give questionable advice, even to a layperson’s judgment, and outdated medical equipment reminiscent of earlier eras in Japan is still in use.

There are also reports of patients with urgent conditions being unable to undergo immediate tests or surgeries due to hospital or doctor availability, sometimes resulting in fatal delays. These are issues that directly affect the life expectancy of each citizen.

A symbolic example is the frequent news of high-profile politicians being transferred to hospitals in Singapore after falling seriously ill. In both infrastructure and personnel, many Indonesians feel that their country’s healthcare system is still unreliable.

Low Awareness of Health Issues

A lack of health education and poor lifestyle habits among the population are also factors limiting life expectancy. Many people have never received basic health education at school or home. As a result, adults often do not know—or are not conscious of—essential health facts such as “excess salt and oil intake is harmful,” “a balanced diet is important,” or “not brushing your teeth leads to cavities.”

Moreover, everyday Indonesian cuisine often includes deep-fried dishes and heavily seasoned stews. Large portions of rice served on oversized plates and drinks loaded with sugar are also common. Unfortunately, these dietary habits negatively impact longevity.

High smoking rates are another major concern. In Indonesia, 30% of people aged 15 and older are smokers, and the rate exceeds 70% among men.

Source 1: tempo.co, “Negara dengan Persentase Perokok Terbanyak Indonesia Tertinggi”
Source 2: Badan Pusat Statistik, “Persentase Merokok Pada Penduduk Umur ≥ 15 Tahun Menurut Provinsi (Persen), 2019–2021”

However, in recent years, particularly in Jakarta, health consciousness is on the rise. Thanks to government-led awareness campaigns and economic development, a growing segment of the population is now knowledgeable about health and has the financial means to prioritize it.

Gyms in Jakarta shopping malls are bustling, and salads and healthy sandwiches have become trendy. Beverages labeled “less sugar” or “sugar-free” are more common than before. The day may not be far off when most food products in Indonesia feature health-conscious labels such as “low calorie” or “low carbohydrate,” as they do in Japan.

Future Outlook for Indonesia’s Average Age and Life Expectancy

Compared to Japan—a country whose economy has already matured and where the population is declining due to low birth rates and an aging society—Indonesia still has a significantly lower average age and shorter life expectancy, reflecting its status as a developing economy.

However, this can also be interpreted as untapped potential. In fact, both average age and life expectancy in Indonesia are steadily increasing. The birth rate is no longer as high as it once was, and the number of people enrolled in health insurance is growing.

There is a rising number of people who buy high-end bicycles and actively engage in cycling, or who go jogging in parks. Among the factors that influence life expectancy, the only area where significant improvement is still lacking may be smoking rates.

Indonesia is a country with a large youth population, and increasingly, that youth is healthy. Doesn’t that make the country’s future something to look forward to?