Cash in Circulation During Eid 2026 Reaches Rp1.37 Quadrillion
Eid 2026 marks a vital period for Indonesia’s economy, characterised by a sharp surge in the amount of cash circulating among the public. The latest report from NEXT Indonesia Center indicates that this significant liquidity growth reflects increased purchasing power and national household consumption readiness.
“Based on our research using Bank Indonesia data, the amount of cart currency or cash in paper and metal form distributed for needs ahead of Eid 2026 reaches Rp1.37 quadrillion. This figure is 10.4% higher, or an increase of Rp130 trillion, compared to ahead of Eid 2025, which was only Rp1.24 quadrillion,” stated Head Researcher at NEXT Indonesia Center, Ade Holis, in Jakarta on Thursday (26/3).
Ade assesses that the rise in cart currency or cash growth ahead of Eid reflects national economic resilience, while also serving as tangible evidence of strengthened economic activity at the grassroots level.
Another interesting aspect is the amount of money directly in the public’s pockets (outside bank vaults). Ahead of Eid 2026, ready-to-spend funds are recorded at Rp1.241 quadrillion, up Rp104 trillion from the previous year’s Rp1.137 quadrillion.
“This certainly becomes a very strong economic modality for regions. The additional Rp104 trillion in cash held by the public represents fresh liquidity ready to turn the wheels of the economy in various mudik destinations,” he explained.
This liquidity growth runs in parallel with the enthusiasm of public mobility, as recorded in mudik flow data. The Ministry of Transportation on the portal strategi.kemenhub.go.id notes an impressive increase in passenger volume across all transport modes during the eight-day period ahead of Eid (H-8) to Eid al-Fitr Day 2026, commonly referred to as the mudik period.
The sea transportation sector via ferries (ASDP) sees the largest addition in mudik passengers. The number of passengers departed via this mode rises from 2,336,619 people in 2025 to 2,697,459 in 2026. This means an addition of 360,840 mudik travellers on crossing routes.
“This increase in sea route passengers is crucial as it indicates equitable economic circulation between islands. Money does not just circulate in the centre but flows strongly to various regions,” Ade stated.
Meanwhile, on land routes, public transport such as buses also shows a positive trend. There is an addition of 145,085 mudik passengers departed, boosting the total from 1,441,510 people in 2025 to 1,586,595 in 2026.
The number of mudik passengers departed by train also experiences an increase. Recorded at 1,832,584 passengers in 2026, or up 193,805 from the previous year’s 1,638,779 passengers.
In the aviation sector, this sector contributes to the departure increase with an addition of 71,993 passengers. In total, 2,400,544 people choose to use aeroplanes during the period ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2026, up from 2,328,551 the previous year.
“The synchronisation between liquidity and mobility is the key to national economic growth. The public has purchasing power and they have mobility access to spend it in their hometowns, which automatically revitalises the local economic ecosystem,” he added.
The NEXT Indonesia Center research institute projects that the combination of ready-to-spend funds of Rp1.241 quadrillion and the massive mudik flow will provide significant contribution to the formation of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter.
“Eid 2026 is a golden momentum. With cash circulation reaching the highest record in the last six years, we are witnessing the domestic economic engine working at optimal capacity,” Ade concluded. (H-4)