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Introduction

Indonesia, while being the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, officially recognizes the practice of Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, fostering a society where multiple religious cultures, values, and believers coexist. Among these, the minority faith of Confucianism was officially recognized only in the year 2000.

There are approximately 77,000 Confucian believers living in Indonesia. Of these, the largest concentration is found in Bogor, West Java.

This article presents data and video footage on the number and distribution of Confucian believers in Bogor and across Indonesia, along with insights into the culture of the ethnic Chinese community, which constitutes a significant portion of the Confucian population.

Confucian Believers in Indonesia and Bogor in Numbers

Bogor: The City with the Largest Confucian Population in Indonesia

Compiled by PT. TRICRUISE MARKETING INDONESIA, based on data from GoodStats “Daftar Kabupaten/Kota dengan Penduduk Beragama Khonghucu Terbanyak”

According to data from the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration, Ministry of Home Affairs of Indonesia, as of June 2024, there were 76,636 Confucian believers in Indonesia. By region, the area with the highest number of Confucian believers is Bogor Regency and City in West Java Province, accounting for 11.1% of the total national Confucian population with 8,529 believers.

Following Bogor, the regions with the next highest numbers of Confucian believers are Bangka Regency and City (8,341 believers), Pangkal Pinang City (7,905 believers), and Central Bangka Regency and City (7,249 believers).

Cities with the Largest Confucian Populations (2024)

• Bogor (West Java Province): 8,529 believers
• Bangka (Bangka Belitung Islands Province): 8,341 believers
• Pangkal Pinang City (Bangka Belitung Islands Province): 7,905 believers
• Central Bangka (Bangka Belitung Islands Province): 7,249 believers
• West Bangka (Bangka Belitung Islands Province): 3,729 believers
• Pontianak (West Kalimantan Province): 3,411 believers
• Sambas (West Kalimantan Province): 2,988 believers
• Bengkayang (West Kalimantan Province): 2,487 believers

Reference: GoodStats “Daftar Kabupaten/Kota dengan Penduduk Beragama Khonghucu Terbanyak”

By province (2022 data), Bangka Belitung Islands Province leads with a significant margin at 28,348 believers, followed by West Kalimantan Province (13,093 believers), and West Java Province (which includes Bogor) with 11,688 believers.

Bangka Belitung Islands Province consists of Bangka Island and Belitung Island, located in the sea off the southeastern coast of Sumatra. In West Kalimantan Province, cities with large Confucian populations are mainly along the west coast. These regions were easily accessible for Chinese immigrants traveling via the Malay Peninsula.

Meanwhile, the significant Chinese immigration to West Java Province, including Bogor, is believed to have been influenced by policies of the Dutch East India Company.

Reference: databoks “Pemeluk Agama Konghucu di Provinsi Ini Terbanyak Nasional”

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Religious Demographics in Indonesia

Compiled by PT. TRICRUISE MARKETING INDONESIA, based on data from databoks “Mayoritas Penduduk Indonesia Beragama Islam pada Semester I 2024”

According to the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration, Ministry of Home Affairs, as of 2024, 87.1% of Indonesia’s population are Muslims. In absolute numbers, this amounts to 245,973,915 people, making Indonesia the country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

The next largest group is Protestants, numbering 20,911,697 people (7.4%). Confucianism accounts for 0.03% of the population, with 76,636 believers — the smallest among the officially recognized religions in Indonesia.

Population by Religion in Indonesia (2024)

• Islam: 245,973,915 people
• Protestantism: 20,911,697 people
• Catholicism: 8,667,619 people
• Hinduism: 4,744,543 people
• Buddhism: 2,004,352 people
• Confucianism: 76,636 people
• Others: 98,822 people

Reference: databoks “Mayoritas Penduduk Indonesia Beragama Islam pada Semester I 2024”

While precise figures are difficult to ascertain, Indonesia is believed to have over 7 million ethnic Chinese, the second-largest such population globally after Thailand. If this estimate is accurate, ethnic Chinese would comprise just under 3% of the total population. Of these, approximately half are Buddhists, while Confucian believers represent only a small minority of this group.

Confucianism, originally a system of philosophy or academic thought rather than a religion, was officially recognized as a religion by the Indonesian government in 2000.

Religions in Indonesia

Currently, Indonesia officially recognizes five religions: Islam, Christianity (Protestantism and Catholicism), Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. For administrative purposes, all citizens are classified as adherents of one of these religions.

At the same time, the existence of traditional religions practiced by various ethnic groups for generations is also acknowledged.

In November 2017, the Constitutional Court of Indonesia ruled that individuals practicing religions other than the five officially recognized ones would be designated as “faith adherents” and granted legal recognition. This decision allowed these individuals to leave the religion field blank on official documents, such as the national identity card (KTP) or family card (KK), without having to falsely declare adherence to an officially recognized religion.

Furthermore, in March 2025, Indonesia’s Minister of Human Rights, Natalius Pigai, proposed a new “Freedom of Religion Act”, to supplement the existing “Religious Protection Act.” The Minister raised concerns that citizens are effectively forced to adhere to one of the five state-recognized religions, and that discrimination and inequality persist for those practicing other faiths.

References:

• VOI “Penghayat Kepercayaan Resmi Masuk Kolom Agama di KTP dan KK dalam Memori Hari Ini, 7 November 2017”
• CNN Indonesia “Pigai Mau Bikin UU Warga Bisa Peluk Kepercayaan di Luar Agama Resmi”

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Confucian Believers in Bogor, Indonesia — In Video

Purification of Deity Statues at a Confucian Temple

Watch the video

This footage shows a ritual known as “washing the statues” (洗像), where deity statues are purified at a Confucian temple, or Klenteng, in preparation for the Lunar New Year.

Hok Tek Bio in Bogor, established in the early 1600s, is a historic Klenteng. Although commonly referred to as a Klenteng, it is in fact a syncretic site where Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism are practiced together, and deities, sages, and Buddhas from these traditions are all venerated.

In addition to serving as a place of worship, Hok Tek Bio also functions as a venue for various social activities, including a clinic that provides services to those in financial need.

Lunar New Year Celebrations

Watch the video

Lawang Suryakencana, located in central Bogor City, is the city’s Chinatown, with a nearby residential area for ethnic Chinese residents.

Because many ethnic Chinese and Chinese-Indonesians in the area have historically engaged in commerce, this street was once known as “Commerce Street.” Today, it is also a well-known religious tourism spot for Buddhism and Confucianism, with its unique cuisine attracting many visitors. To the north of this street is Bogor Market, said to be the oldest market in the city, and nearby stands Hok Tek Bio.

The video captures part of the Lunar New Year celebrations, including lion dances, brass bands, portable shrines, and various other performances. Numerous events take place across Indonesia from the Lunar New Year to the Lantern Festival, which occurs 15 days later. Celebrations are especially vibrant in areas with large ethnic Chinese and Chinese-Indonesian communities.

Reference: TEMPO “Kisah Jalan Suryakencana, Surga Kuliner Kota Bogor di Lintasan Jalur Anyer-Panarukan”

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Indonesia’s Diversity Through the Lens of Confucianism

In an environment where the overwhelming Muslim majority tends to dominate public presence and discourse, Indonesia has gradually made progress in fostering respect and consideration for minority groups.

The recognition of Confucianism as an official religion in 2000 was influenced by the history of marginalization faced by the ethnic Chinese and Chinese-Indonesian communities, as well as by Indonesia’s national motto, “Unity in Diversity.” The 2017 Constitutional Court ruling that officially acknowledged “faith adherents” beyond the five recognized religions also served as a symbolic affirmation of this national ideal.

Scenes of historic Chinatowns standing alongside numerous mosques, and the sight of people from various religious backgrounds gathering to watch Lunar New Year festivities, offer glimpses of Indonesia’s unique character as a nation that embraces diversity.