Motorcycles have become an inseparable part of daily life for most Indonesians. It is the most widely preferred mode of transportation across the country for a variety of practical reasons. The sheer volume of these vehicles is immense, to the point where it is incredibly common for a single household to own two or more motorcycles.
According to data from the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), the number of motorcycles in Indonesia reached 145,247,420 units in 2025. This reflects a sharp increase from the previous year, which recorded 139,450,013 units. This growth is part of a steady, upward trend observed consecutively from 2015 through 2024.
This continuous increase in vehicle ownership indicates a strong performance in the automotive industry and growing public purchasing power. The high volume of motorcycles facilitates the efficient movement of people, goods, and services, directly contributing to national economic growth. However, this rapid growth also brings challenges, such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and a significant rise in fuel consumption.
Countries with Highest Number of Motorcycle
Data published by the World Population Review places Indonesia among the top nations with the highest number of motorcycles globally. The leading countries in motorcycle ownership include:
- India
- Indonesia
- China
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- Pakistan
- Malaysia
- Saudi Arabia
- Taiwan
- Brazil
Why Do Indonesians Prefer Riding Motorcycles?
A survey by Jakpat and summarized by Goodstats reveals that 78 percent of the Indonesian public owns a motorcycle, with half of them having used the same vehicle for more than five years.
The survey, which involved 1,449 respondents, highlights several key reasons behind this preference. Notably, 65 percent of respondents stated that they own a motorcycle primarily for their daily commuting needs.
Additionally, 45 percent of those surveyed feel that motorcycles allow them to navigate through heavy traffic quickly and flexibly, particularly when maneuvering through narrow streets and alleys. This agility makes daily mobility far more efficient. Meanwhile, 35 percent of respondents choose motorcycles because of their low operational costs, which are significantly cheaper than cars or other transit alternatives, and 33 percent specifically noted that motorcycles are far more affordable to purchase than automobiles.
The survey also indicates that 33 percent of respondents keep a motorcycle as an additional vehicle for their family. Others use them for long-distance travel, demonstrating the vehicle's versatility for various commuting demands.
Geographically, West Java ranks as the province with the highest number of motorcycles as of 2025, recording 24.26 million units. East Java and Central Java follow in second and third place, with Jakarta and Banten rounding out the top regions.
This distribution shows that motorcycle ownership is heavily concentrated on Java Island. In contrast, provinces in Eastern Indonesia record the lowest ownership numbers. BPS data shows that Highland Papua has the lowest ownership in the country with only 34,773 units, followed by South Papua with 164,074 units and West Papua with 176,279 units. This distribution is heavily influenced by population density, as the highly populated Java Island naturally requires a much higher level of daily mobility.
