Government Forecasts Potential Increase in Homebound Travellers to 155 Million People for Eid 2026
The government forecasts that the number of homebound travellers during Eid 2026 will increase to reach 155 million people. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Pratikno explained that the government will prepare anticipatory measures to manage the concentration of travellers during the same period.
These anticipatory measures include an integrated information system designed to guide the public in selecting the appropriate departure schedule.
“There will be an information system that will also help the public choose when to travel home. As the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), mentioned, the survey estimate is 143.915 million people,” said Pratikno during a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs office on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
Pratikno added that based on experience from previous years, actual population movement typically runs approximately 10 per cent higher than survey figures. This surge to 155 million homebound travellers presents a significant challenge to transport infrastructure if departure distribution is not managed effectively.
“But year after year, in practice it turns out to be higher than the survey. So roughly 10 per cent higher, meaning it becomes around 155 million people moving. That’s why if all these people move at the same time, it becomes very difficult,” said Pratikno.
Meanwhile, the government is collaborating across ministries to ensure smooth operations for Eid 2026 homebound travel. This includes working with the Ministry of Transport and the Indonesian National Police to implement various policies ranging from incentives and fare discounts to schemes for selective road opening and closures.
These measures, he said, are expected to encourage distribution of homebound travellers to prevent extreme congestion at any single point in time.
“Hopefully this distribution of homebound travellers will occur, without accumulation at any particular time,” said Pratikno.