Country Profile: Indonesia
Initial Information for Employers in Europe Considering Recruitment of Skilled Workers
- Form of government: Presidential republic
- Area: approx. 1.9 million km²
- Population: around 280 million (as of 2024)
- Capital: Jakarta (approx. 11 million inhabitants in the city area)
- Economy: Emerging economy with a growing service and industrial sector
- Time zones: Three time zones (GMT+7 to GMT+9)
- Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
- Demographics: Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world. The population is very young: around 40% are under 25 years old.
- Ethnic diversity: Over 300 ethnic groups; the largest group is the Javanese (~40%)
- Urbanization: Urbanization is increasing, but there are major differences between urban and rural areas
- Labor migration: Many Indonesians work abroad, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, with growing migration to Europe
- Official language: Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
- Other languages: Over 700 regional languages and dialects (e.g., Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese)
- Foreign language skills: English is increasingly promoted in urban areas and the education system, especially in higher education
- Language skills among professionals: Good English proficiency is common; German is usually learned specifically in preparation for migration
- Major religion: Islam (~87% of the population; Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world)
- Other religions: Christianity (Catholic & Protestant), Hinduism (especially in Bali), Buddhism, Confucianism
- Religious freedom: Constitutionally guaranteed; religious tolerance is widely practiced in society
- General education: Compulsory schooling through lower secondary education (9 years); supplemented by upper secondary schools, vocational education, and higher education
- Vocational training: Offered through vocational schools (SMK), with practical training in areas such as tourism, nursing, engineering, gastronomy, and IT
- Higher education: Rapidly growing sector with over 4,000 public and private universities
- Education quality: Varies by region but increasingly internationally oriented
- Skills potential: Many young professionals have practical training and often international experience; growing interest in working in Europe
- Work ethic: High loyalty, team orientation, and adaptability
- Hierarchy: Respect for authority, but collaborative teamwork is appreciated
- Communication: Polite, indirect, and conflict-avoidant; non-verbal communication plays an important role
- Religious aspects: Prayer times and holidays (e.g., Ramadan) should be considered — Muslim professionals are often very flexible regarding European working hours
- Integration capability: Indonesian professionals are considered friendly, eager to learn, and loyal — valuable traits for sectors such as gastronomy, nursing, tourism, and services
- Language & training: German skills are acquired through preparatory language courses (usually A2 to B1); English is commonly already present
- Mobility & flexibility: High willingness to migrate, especially with long-term job opportunities and clear integration perspectives
- Cultural adaptation: Good adaptability to European values and work styles; targeted preparation through cultural and integration seminars is recommended
Indonesia is a promising country of origin for recruiting international professionals in Europe.
A young, motivated population, solid training in practical professions, and high intercultural adaptability make Indonesian professionals valuable employees — especially in the sectors of gastronomy, hospitality, nursing, engineering, and services.
Why employers in the German-speaking region are turning to Indonesian workers
1. Strong Service Orientation
Indonesian workers bring with them a deeply rooted culture of friendliness and a strong service mindset. Especially in hospitality and gastronomy, healthcare and caregiving, retail and sales, they create genuine human connections through their warm and welcoming nature.
2. Reliability & intercultural competence
Indonesians are disciplined, humble, and loyal – qualities that support long-term employment relationships. Their cultural diversity and polite communication make them valuable team players in a variety of work environments.
3. Young, eager to learn & well-prepared
These young professionals have received solid, practice-oriented training and often have initial international experience. English is widely spoken, and German is taught specifically up to A2–B1 levels. Cultural and language training programs help ease their integration into the target labor market.
Conclusion for employers in the DACH Region:
Indonesian professionals offer an ideal profile for roles in services, caregiving, hospitality, and technical fields. Their friendliness, loyalty, and adaptability make them a real asset to companies aiming for sustainable HR strategies. Thanks to targeted preparation and high motivation, their integration into the German-speaking labor market is demonstrably successful.
Why „world4europe“ chose „Gapai“ as Its partner agency for Indonesia
Gapai is not just a recruitment agency – it’s a comprehensive digital platform for international talent acquisition. As a licensed and government-recognized agency, Gapai ensures all processes are transparent, legally compliant, and efficient – from initial application to long-term integration in the destination country.
Gapai is revolutionizing traditional international recruitment:
Placements are often completed within 3 months after employer confirmation. A central online platform manages all steps – registration, screening, interviews, and documentation. Gapai’s AI capabilities significantly reduce placement times.
Gapai works exclusively with verified agencies in destination countries – such as world4europe – that meet international labor and social standards. All job placements are reviewed and approved by the Indonesian Ministry of Labor and embassies in the host countries – ensuring the highest level of legal security for all parties involved.
Through the Gapai Academy, workers are specifically trained before departure – in German or English (usually A2 or B1), practical skills (e.g., care work, hospitality), and intercultural competence. After arrival, they continue to benefit from comprehensive support, including digital money transfers and community offerings.
For employers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH region), world4europe and Gapai offer access to a broad, motivated talent pool of over 20,000 registered candidates, all prepared for long-term employment abroad. The platform provides legally secure, scalable recruitment – a real competitive advantage in times of skilled labor shortages.
world4europe chose Gapai because the platform combines everything needed for successful talent acquisition today: digitalization, efficiency, quality, fairness, and humanity.
Gapai represents a new generation of international recruitment – smart, secure, and future-oriented.