Jakarta, 5 November 2025 — Indonesia’s creative economy has solidified its position as one of the nation’s primary economic pillars, contributing more than IDR 1,500 trillion to the national Produk Domestik Bruto (PDB) and absorbing 26.47 million workers. These achievements—largely driven by young talent—were reported directly by Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency Teuku Riefky Harsya to President Prabowo Subianto, highlighting a development strategy that begins from the regions.
Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Teuku Riefky Harsya, menghadiri Rapat Terbatas (Ratas) di Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, Rabu (5/11/2025).
“Today we delivered our one-year report and presented the plans for 2026. The creative economy has proven resilient amid global uncertainties. In the first semester of 2025, investment in the creative economy sector reached IDR 90.1 trillion, or 66 percent of the annual target, signaling strong investor confidence in creative subsectors,” said the Minister before presenting the annual performance report during a Limited Cabinet Meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, 5 November 2025.
In his report, the Minister detailed that creative economy exports reached USD 12.9 billion, or 49 percent of the annual target—marking the highest figure in the past five years. The sector’s labor absorption, now totaling 26.47 million workers, has also exceeded the 2025 target and is predominantly composed of young workers under 40.
The sector’s GDP growth reached 5.69 percent, or 104 percent of the annual target, with its total contribution surpassing IDR 1,500 trillion—equivalent to around 7 percent of national GDP. In terms of foreign investment, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, the United States, and China remain the top five contributing countries.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Jakarta continues to lead as the main investment destination with IDR 25.97 trillion, followed by East Java, West Java, Banten, and Central Java. Sub-sectors such as applications, fashion, crafts, and culinary arts remain the most attractive for investors.
The Minister also highlighted the rise in exports from key creative subsectors: fashion (USD 7.09 billion), crafts (USD 5.01 billion), and culinary (USD 767 million). The United States remains the top export destination, followed by Switzerland, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, which recorded significant growth. “We want Indonesia’s creative exports to be not only strong in Asia but truly influential on the global stage,” the Minister emphasized.
To support the 2026 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) targets, the Ministry has prepared several strategic initiatives focusing on strengthening investment, exports, workforce development, and GDP contribution. In the area of investment, the government is developing the Ekraf Business Forum as a follow-up to international engagements with partner countries such as France, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Russia. Indonesia will also host the World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) in 2026, the world’s largest creative economy forum attended by delegates from more than 50 countries.
“WCCE is a strategic momentum to reaffirm Indonesia’s position as a global creative economy hub,” the Minister stated.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
The Ministry is also preparing incentive schemes for the film, gaming, and application subsectors to attract new investments and accelerate the commercialization of intellectual property.
In the export sector, the Ministry targets USD 27.85 billion through the Indonesia Creative Export Acceleration Program (ASIK) and Creative by Indonesia, which promotes Indonesian creative products through integrated global branding strategies. The Minister noted that initiatives such as Creative by Indonesia are designed to place local creative works on par with global campaigns such as Japan’s Cool Japan or Thailand’s Kitchen of the World.
“The strengthening of national networks through Ekraf Hub and the development of incentive schemes for the fashion, craft, culinary, and publishing subsectors are key elements of our export strategy. We want to ensure Indonesian creative works gain visibility and recognition on the world stage,” he added.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
In terms of employment and economic growth, the Ministry targets 26.06 million creative workers through various digital training programs such as Gen Matic and Emak Matic, as well as Kreatorium, an incubation program for gig economy talent. The government is also preparing a Presidential Regulation on the Creative Economy Master Plan (Rindekraf) 2026–2045 as a long-term strategic framework.
The Minister expressed appreciation to President Prabowo for granting initiative approval for the Presidential Regulation on Rindekraf 2026–2045, which will serve as a long-term roadmap for national creative economy development. He emphasized 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 support from regional governments, we are confident that the creative economy will become a central pillar in achieving Indonesia Emas 2045. The creativity of our people is our greatest capital. From the regions, we build an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable creative economy foundation,” the Minister concluded.
Also attending the meeting were the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar and several members of the Merah Putih Cabinet.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Communication Bureau
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
