Jakarta, November 5, 2025 – The creative economy sector has emerged as a key pillar of Indonesia’s economy, contributing more than Rp1,500 trillion to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing 26.47 million workers. The achievement, dominated by young professionals, was reported directly by Minister of Creative Economy / Head of Creative Economy Agency Teuku Riefky Harsya to President Prabowo Subianto as the result of development strategies initiated at the regional level.
Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Teuku Riefky Harsya, menghadiri Rapat Terbatas (Ratas) di Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, Rabu (5/11/2025).
“Today we are here to present our one-year achievements and plans for 2026. The creative economy has proven its resilience amid global dynamics. In the first half of 2025, investment in the creative economy sector reached Rp90.1 trillion, or 66 percent of the annual target, signifying strong investor confidence in creative subsectors,” said the Minister of Creative Economy before presenting the ministry’s one-year performance report during a Limited Cabinet Meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
In his report, the Minister elaborated that creative economy exports reached USD 12.9 billion, or 49 percent of the annual target, the highest in the past five years. The creative economy sector, now employing 26.47 million workers, also exceeded its 2025 target, with the majority of its workforce being under 40 years old.
The sector’s GDP growth rate reached 5.69 percent, or 104 percent of the annual target, with its contribution to national GDP surpassing Rp1,500 trillion, equivalent to around 7 percent. In terms of investment, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, the United States, and China remain the top five investor countries.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Meanwhile, Jakarta continues to be the primary investment destination with a value of Rp25.97 trillion, followed by East Java, West Java, Banten, and Central Java. The application, fashion, craft, and culinary subsectors were recorded as the most attractive fields for investors.
The Minister also reported an increase in exports from the fashion (USD 7.09 billion), craft (USD 5.01 billion), and culinary (USD 767 million) subsectors. The United States remains the main export destination, followed by Switzerland, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, which have shown significant growth. “We want Indonesia’s creative exports to not only thrive in Asia but also gain stronger influence on the global stage,” emphasized the Minister.
The Ministry of Creative Economy has prepared several strategic measures to support the 2026 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) targets through strengthened investment, export, workforce development, and GDP contribution. In the investment sector, the government is focusing on developing the Creative Economy Business Forum as a follow-up to international partnerships with countries such as France, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Russia. In addition, Indonesia will once again host the World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) 2026, the world’s largest creative economy conference involving more than 50 participating countries.
“The WCCE will serve as a strategic momentum to reaffirm Indonesia’s position as the center of the global creative economy ecosystem,” said the Minister.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
The Ministry is also preparing an incentive scheme for the film, game, and application subsectors to attract new investment and boost intellectual property commercialization.
On the export front, the Ministry targets USD 27.85 billion in exports through the Indonesian Creative Export Acceleration Program (ASIK) and the Creative by Indonesia initiative, which promotes national creative products through an integrated global branding strategy. The Minister stated that programs like Creative by Indonesia will position local works on par with national campaigns such as Japan’s “Cool Japan” and Thailand’s “Kitchen of the World.”
“Strengthening the national creative network through Ekraf Hub and developing incentive schemes for the fashion, craft, culinary, and publishing subsectors are also key parts of our export growth strategy. We want to ensure Indonesia’s creative products gain recognition and a strong presence in global markets,” said the Minister.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
In terms of employment and economic growth, the Ministry targets the creation of 26.06 million creative workers through digital training programs such as Gen Matic and Emak-Emak Matic, as well as the Kreatorium program for gig economy incubation. The government is also preparing a Presidential Regulation on the 2026–2045 Creative Economy Master Plan (Rindekraf) as a long-term strategic roadmap.
The Minister of Creative Economy also expressed gratitude for President Prabowo’s approval of the initiative to formulate the Presidential Regulation on the 2026–2045 Creative Economy Master Plan (Rindekraf), which will serve as a strategic long-term guide for national creative economy development. In closing, the Minister underscored the importance of digital acceleration, youth talent development, and global market expansion.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“With clear policy direction, cross-ministerial collaboration, and strong regional support, we are optimistic that the creative economy will become a primary pillar toward Indonesia Emas 2045. The creativity of our people is our greatest asset. From the regions, we are building the foundation for an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable creative economy,” concluded the Minister.
Also attending the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar and several members of the Red and White Cabinet.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
