Imagine a country where hundreds of languages coexist, and each island has its own unique way of communication. This is Indonesia—a nation home to 718 regional languages, making it the country with the most languages in Southeast Asia and the second in the world after Papua New Guinea, according to the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation.
This rich linguistic diversity stems from over 17,000 islands, each inhabited by various ethnic groups with distinct cultures. Interactions between communities, trade, and historical influences have shaped Indonesia’s dynamic linguistic landscape. Yet, despite these vast differences, the nation remains united under the motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika—Unity in Diversity.
Indonesia’s Most Spoken Local Languages
According to Asia Society, the Indonesian language belongs to the Western branch of the Malayo-Polynesian subgroup within the Austronesian language family—one of the world's largest linguistic families. This classification reinforces Indonesia’s connection to a vast linguistic heritage, linking the archipelago to many nations across the Asia-Pacific region.
Beyond the national language, Indonesia is also known for its extraordinary diversity of regional languages. Based on the 2020 Population Census conducted by Badan Pusat Statistik/Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), the following are the 10 most widely spoken regional languages in Indonesia:
- Javanese – Spoken by 42.12% of the population
- Sundanese – Spoken by 15.5%
- Malay – Spoken by 3.7%
- Madura – Spoken by 3.6%
- Minangkabau – Spoken by 2.7%
- Buginese – Spoken by 1.9%
- Balinese – Spoken by 1.7%
- Banjarese – Spoken by 1.7%
- Acehnese – Spoken by 1.4%
- Batak – Spoken by 1.2%
The Decline of Local Languages
Overall, 72.78% of Indonesia’s population still uses regional languages in daily life. However, the trend continues to decline, particularly among younger generations.
When analyzed by generation, the use of local languages shows a steady decrease:
- Millennial Generation (1981-1996): 72.26% still actively use regional languages in daily communication.
- Generation Z (1997-2012): This percentage drops to 69.9%.
- Post-Gen Z (2013 and beyond): Only 61.7% still actively communicate in a regional language with neighbors or the local community.
The Threat of Language Extinction
Regional languages are an invaluable cultural heritage, yet in Indonesia, hundreds are now on the brink of extinction. Urbanization, globalization, and the lack of young speakers are key factors causing many local languages to be abandoned. Without concrete efforts, a significant portion of these languages could disappear in the near future.
This alarming reality is supported by data from Derivation.co, which ranks Indonesia first in the world for the number of endangered languages. Out of 718 regional languages, 425 are classified as critically endangered.
Moreover, according to a report by the Language Development and Cultivation Agency of the Ministry of Education and Culture, 24 local languages are at severe risk of extinction or have already lost all native speakers. Some of them include:
- Hoti (Maluku)
- Aware (Papua)
- Duriankere (West Papua)
- Tambora (West Nusa Tenggara)
- Ponosakan (North Sulawesi)
- Javindo (Central Java)
- Ternateno (North Maluku)
Efforts to Revitalize Local Languages
Recognizing this threat, the Indonesian government has been actively working to preserve regional languages through the Regional Language Revitalization Program (RBD). In 2022, 39 regional languages were revitalized in 13 provinces, and by 2023, the initiative expanded to 19 provinces.
Concrete efforts such as teaching regional languages in schools, documentation projects, and cultural festivals are being carried out to keep these languages alive and ensure they are passed down to future generations. Through these initiatives, Indonesia’s linguistic wealth is expected not only to survive but also to thrive amidst the challenges of modern times.
