Government Forecasts Homecoming Travellers to Reach 155 Million

The government is forecasting that the number of homecoming travellers during Eid al-Fitr in 1447 Hijri (2026) will reach 155 million people. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno stated that this figure is predicted to exceed initial survey results.

To anticipate the mobility of more than 150 million people travelling simultaneously, the government is preparing an integrated information system designed to guide the public in selecting their departure dates.

“An information system will help people choose when to travel home. As the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development mentioned, the survey estimate is 143,915,000 people,” Pratikno said during a press conference on homecoming preparations at Bina Graha Building, Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

He explained that based on experience from previous homecoming periods, actual migration typically exceeds surveys by approximately 10 percent. According to Pratikno, the movement of 155 million people at the same time presents a significant challenge.

“In practice year after year, actual numbers are higher than the survey. So about 10 percent higher, meaning it becomes around 155 million people moving. When all this movement happens at the same time, it is very challenging,” Pratikno said.

Earlier, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo predicted that the homecoming flow for Eid 2026 would occur in two waves. “The first wave of homecoming is likely to occur between 14 and 15 March,” Sigit said during a coordination meeting for Operation Ketupat 2026 on Monday, 2 March 2026.

Meanwhile, the peak of the second homecoming wave is estimated to occur on 18 and 19 March 2026. The return flow of travellers is also estimated to occur in two waves, on 24–25 March and 28–29 March.