Jakarta. Indonesia’s creative economy has contributed more than Rp 1,500 trillion (approximately $90 billion) -- or around 7 percent of national GDP -- according to new government data released Thursday.

In the first half of 2025, investment in the creative sector reached Rp 90.1 trillion ($5.4 billion), equivalent to 66 percent of the annual target, the Creative Economy Ministry reported. The top five sources of investment were Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, the United States, and China.

Jakarta remained the leading investment hub with a total of Rp 25.97 trillion ($1.6 billion), followed by East Java, West Java, Banten, and Central Java. The most attractive sub-sectors for investors included online applications, fashion, crafts, and culinary industries, the ministry said.

Exports from the creative economy reached $12.9 billion in the first half of 2025, representing 49 percent of the annual target. The majority of the sector’s 26.47 million workers are under the age of 40, reflecting the sector’s strong appeal among younger Indonesians.

Leading export categories included fashion ($7.09 billion), craft ($5.01 billion), and culinary products ($767 million).

Since taking office in October 2024, President Prabowo Subianto has elevated the creative economy’s strategic importance by establishing it as a standalone ministry, separating it from the Tourism Ministry to enhance focus on innovation, investment, and export performance.

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