Bandung, the third most populous city in Indonesia, is home to numerous corporate offices and higher education institutions, including universities. Compared to Jakarta, it offers more affordable living costs and a more pleasant climate, making it an attractive city. However, its high population density has an immeasurable impact on the daily lives of its residents.

This article presents the overcrowded conditions in Bandung through statistical data and on-the-ground footage.

Bandung’s Population Density in Numbers

Bandung’s Population Density — the Second Highest in Indonesia at 15,176 People per km²

As the capital of West Java Province and the third most populous city in Indonesia, Bandung has the second highest population density in the country (considering Jakarta as a single city). As of 2024, Bandung’s population density has reached 15,176 people per km², comparable to that of Tokyo’s 23 special wards.

The city’s population has increased by 1.9% compared to ten years ago in 2015. Many residents choose to live in the suburbs to avoid the overcrowded conditions in Bandung, leading to population growth in the surrounding areas: the population of Bandung Regency, which borders the city, has grown by 6.2% over the past decade, while West Bandung Regency has seen a 15.7% increase. Cimahi, which ranks third in population density, is also a city adjacent to Bandung.

Population Density Ranking of Indonesian Cities

References:
BPS Provinsi DKI Jakarta, “Luas Daerah Menurut Kabupaten/Kota, 2021-2023” / “Jumlah Penduduk Menurut Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi DKI Jakarta (Jiwa), 2022-2023”
BPS Kabupaten Bandung, “Jumlah Penduduk Menurut Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi Jawa Barat (ribu), 2024”
BPS Provinsi Jawa Barat, “Luas Daerah dan Jumlah Pulau Menurut Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi Jawa Barat, 2024”
BPS Provinsi Banten, “Luas Daerah dan Jumlah Pulau Menurut Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi Banten, 2024” / “Jumlah Penduduk Menurut Kabupaten/Kota dan Jenis Kelamin di Provinsi Banten (Ribu Jiwa), 2023-2024”
BPS Provinsi DI Yogyakarta, “Luas Daerah dan Jumlah Pulau Menurut Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi DI Yogyakarta, 2022”
BPS Provinsi Jawa Timur, “Jumlah Penduduk Menurut Jenis Kelamin dan Kabupaten/Kota Provinsi Jawa Timur (Jiwa), 2022-2023”
BPS Kota Surakarta, “Jumlah Penduduk Menurut Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi Jawa Tengah (ribu jiwa), 2023-2025”
BPS Provinsi Jawa Tengah, “Luas Daerah dan Jumlah Pulau Menurut Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi Jawa Tengah, 2024”

In Indonesia’s administrative system, kota (city) and kabupaten (regency) are parallel administrative units. Even when they share the same name, unlike in Japan, a regency does not encompass the city within it.

A city is a smaller administrative unit focused on urban areas, while a regency covers a broader surrounding region. As a result, when ranking by population density, cities typically occupy the top positions.

Bandung’s Population Density Through Visuals

Densely Packed Residential Areas

Watch the Footage

This footage shows a residential area within Bandung City. Houses are tightly packed along narrow streets barely wide enough for a single motorbike to pass. During mornings and evenings, these lanes are constantly busy with motorbikes commuting to and from work or school.

In these older urban neighborhoods, houses are built right up to their property lines, with walls often adjoining those of neighboring homes. The spaces in front of and behind buildings are quite limited, making it difficult for many households to find room to park motorbikes or hang laundry. In some cases, student dormitories and small apartments are tucked deep within these narrow alleyways, resulting in an actual resident population that exceeds the apparent scale of the neighborhood.

Bandung: A City of Traffic Congestion

Watch the Footage

This video captures the Kopo area, located in the southern part of Bandung City. Even in areas far from the city center, severe traffic congestion like this is a daily occurrence.

Bandung ranks among the top cities in Indonesia for traffic congestion. For example, in the “TomTom Traffic Index 2024”, a global report on traffic conditions published by the navigation device manufacturer TomTom, Bandung is listed as the most congested city in Indonesia. According to this report, the average travel time per 10 km in Bandung is 32 minutes and 37 seconds—equivalent to an average speed of approximately 18.4 km/h.

Major Indonesian cities such as Jakarta and Bandung face the challenge of road capacity failing to keep pace with the rapid increase in traffic volume, driven by population growth and a surge in both motorbikes and private cars. Due to limited alternative routes, the same areas experience recurring traffic jams, forcing residents to drive through congested streets despite being fully aware of the conditions.

Reference:
TomTom, “TomTom Traffic Index Ranking 2024”

Bandung’s Battle Against the Adverse Effects of Urbanization

Given the ongoing urbanization and continuous population growth both in Bandung City and its surrounding areas, it is expected that the city’s high population density will remain elevated for the foreseeable future.

For Bandung—a city already experiencing severe overcrowding—to continue thriving as a livable environment and as an attractive destination for businesses and tourists alike, further infrastructure development and the implementation of sound urban planning are essential.