Digital Giant, Zakat Still Lagging Behind

Indonesia is frequently described as a digital giant in Southeast Asia. Internet penetration has exceeded 80% of the population, online-based economic transactions are growing rapidly, and non-cash payments have become part of everyday life. Mobile phones have become wallets, markets, and distribution channels for public services. However, amidst this progress, the optimisation of national zakat collection has yet to demonstrate a proportional leap forward.

Data from the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) in 2025 recorded 229.4 million internet users, or 80.66% of the population, with 98.7% accessing the internet via mobile phones. Digital infrastructure is available, transaction behaviour is established, and society is increasingly comfortable with the online ecosystem. Ironically, this progress has not yet been fully reflected in zakat collection.

The National Zakat Collection Agency (Baznas) estimates that the national zakat potential reaches Rp327 trillion annually. In 2023, actual national zakat collection amounted to approximately Rp32.3 trillion—less than 10% of potential. In 2024 this increased to approximately Rp41 trillion, with the 2025 target set at Rp50 trillion, though no official report on collected zakat funds in 2025 has yet been released. Even if targets are met, the contribution would not yet touch one-fifth of available potential. This gap confirms that the zakat issue is not about lacking potential, but rather about mobilisation management, governance, and ecosystem strengthening, not merely collection mechanics.

RAMADAN: THE GOLDEN MOMENT THAT DECIDES

Ramadan is not merely a month of ritual worship. It is a strategic momentum that unites the spiritual, social, and economic dimensions of the Muslim community. In the context of Indonesia as the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, Ramadan presents an extraordinary opportunity to accelerate national zakat collection. Amid rising social needs and economic inequality, professional, transparent, and strategy-based zakat management has become essential.

Official Baznas data shows that during 2022–2024, more than 50% of annual zakat collection occurred during Ramadan. In 2023, for example, approximately 55% of total annual receipts were concentrated in Ramadan. This pattern also appears in 2022 and 2024, when receipt surges occurred significantly within that single month. This fact confirms that Ramadan is a golden moment in the Islamic philanthropy ecosystem. Spirituality, social empathy, and religious motivation are at their peak, and society shows a strong tendency to give zakat during the holy month.

This fact is unsurprising. Ramadan brings a powerful spiritual atmosphere, encouraging Muslims to increase acts of charity and alms-giving. Theologically, rewards are multiplied. Psychologically, social empathy increases. However, the question arises: is this momentum already being managed optimally through a measured strategic management approach?

Here lies the importance of modern zakat governance that does not rely solely on religious sentiment, but also on systematic planning, donor segmentation, utilisation of digital technology, and strengthening public accountability. Yet this major momentum is often managed conventionally and seasonally. Intensive zakat campaigns are conducted before and during Ramadan, but have not yet been fully based on data, segmentation, and optimal digital conversion strategy. However, if more than half of collection occurs within one month, then optimising Ramadan could become a game changer in pursuing Indonesia’s vast zakat potential.

THE WORLD’S MOST CHARITABLE NATION

Indonesia actually possesses strong social capital. In the World Giving Index report released by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), Indonesia ranked first as the world’s most charitable nation in 2022 and 2023, with very high scores for donation participation, volunteering, and helping strangers. This data reinforces the thesis that the philanthropic character of Indonesian society is robust.

This distinction is not solely due to religiosity, but also to deeply rooted social culture. The concept of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) has become the nation’s collective identity. Sukarno even described gotong royong as the ‘essence of Pancasila’. In his speech on 1 June 1945, he stated that if Pancasila were reduced to a single value, that value would be gotong royong. Gotong royong reflects social solidarity, togetherness, and collective responsibility. This value aligns with the principle of zakat as a wealth distribution mechanism and instrument of social justice. Therefore, the high rate of donation by Indonesian society is not an instant phenomenon, but the result of interaction between religious values and social culture.

Beyond cultural factors, the spiritual impulse of Ramadan also strengthens the inclination to give. Fasting cultivates empathy towards the poor. The experience of enduring hunger and thirst creates social awareness. Sociologically, Ramadan becomes a collective space for forming solidarity.

This means the zakat issue is not about low public concern, but rather about the not yet optimal conversion of concern into managed collection. If Indonesian society is proven to be the world’s most charitable globally, the Rp327 trillion zakat potential is not a utopian figure. It is realistic—provided it is managed with the right strategy.

THE SHIFT TOWARDS DIGITAL PAYMENT

The shift in society’s transaction patterns from conventional to digital is becoming increasingly evident not only in consumption, but also in the overall payment system. Bank Indonesia notes that the volume of digital payment transactions continues to grow strongly. Throughout 2025, transactions through digital channels such as mobile banking, QRIS, and internet banking have surged sharply. For instance, QRIS transaction volume jumped more than 143% annually, while total digital payments reached 4.66 billion transactions to date.