Among Southeast Asian nations, Indonesia stands out in 2024 as the country with the most public holidays, officially marking 27 national holidays throughout the year.
This figure puts Indonesia ahead of all its ASEAN neighbours, based on a visual compilation by Seasia Stats that draws from the latest public holiday calendars across the region.
Following Indonesia, Cambodia secures the second spot with 22 public holidays, while Myanmar comes in third with 19.
Both Thailand and the Philippines observe 18 holidays, closely followed by Malaysia and Brunei with 16 each. Vietnam records 15 holidays, Singapore counts 11, and Laos has the fewest, with just 9 public holidays.
Why Does Indonesia Have So Many Public Holidays?
Indonesia’s large number of public holidays can be attributed to its deep cultural and religious diversity, which is also reflected in the country’s national motto: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika — Unity in Diversity.
The national calendar honors major observances from the six officially recognized religions in the country. These include:
- Islamic Holidays: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are widely celebrated, with multi-day public breaks.
- Christian and Catholic Holidays: Both Christmas and Easter (Paskah) are nationally recognized, celebrating the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While Easter isn’t always a fixed-date public holiday, in certain years it is observed regionally or included in extended holiday periods.
- Hindu Celebration: Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, is a unique holiday observed nationwide.
- Buddhist Observance: Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.
- Confucian and Chinese Traditions: Chinese New Year and Cap Go Meh are also part of the national mood, especially in urban areas with large Chinese-Indonesian communities.
In addition, Indonesia recognizes numerous secular and national milestones, such as:
- Independence Day (17 August)
- Pancasila Day
- National Heroes Day
- Labour Day
- Islamic New Year
This variety ensures that citizens from different ethnic and religious backgrounds are acknowledged in the public sphere — a reflection of Indonesia’s inclusive governance and pluralistic identity.
How Does the Rest of ASEAN Compare?
Public holiday counts vary across the region based on cultural composition, religious demographics, and national traditions:
- Cambodia’s holidays are largely influenced by Buddhist ceremonies and royal commemorations.
- Thailand similarly reflects Buddhist traditions, alongside significant days tied to the monarchy.
- The Philippines integrates both religious holidays (Catholic and Christian) and nationalist events like People Power Day.
- Singapore, a hub for global business, maintains a leaner holiday structure to align with productivity goals.
- Malaysia balances its federal holidays with state-specific observances, especially around Islamic and cultural events.
What Does This Say About the Region?
Public holidays are more than just days off — they’re mirrors of national identity. In Southeast Asia, they celebrate not just religion and culture, but also shared history, struggles for independence, and modern-day values.
For example:
- Eid and Vesak signify spiritual reflection across Muslim and Buddhist-majority nations.
- National Day holidays serve as annual reminders of sovereignty and unity.
- Observances like Easter and Christmas reflect the strong presence of Christianity in countries like the Philippines and parts of Indonesia.
From a broader perspective, holiday trends can influence economic cycles, domestic tourism patterns, and even mental health outcomes.
Countries with generous public holiday schedules tend to see spikes in leisure travel and family gatherings, while also offering workers valuable time for rest and recovery.
