Indonesian Citizens' Overseas Travel and Umrah Trips Strain Services Balance
Jakarta – Indonesian citizens’ overseas travel has become one of the factors pressuring the services balance deficit.
According to data from Bank Indonesia (BI) in the 2025 Indonesia Balance of Payments (NPI) report, Indonesia’s current account transaction recorded a deficit of US$1.45 billion, or approximately Rp24.35 trillion (US$1 = Rp16,795) in 2025. This figure has improved compared with the previous period, which recorded a deficit of up to US$8.5 billion.
It is worth noting that Indonesia’s current account balance more often remains in deficit rather than surplus. This is often referred to as a “ghost” for economic fundamentals because it reflects the need for financing from abroad and can reduce investor confidence.
The current account transaction comprises the balance of trade in goods and the services balance. Upon closer examination, one persistent source of pressure—and not a new issue—is the deficit in the services balance.
Indonesia consistently records a services balance deficit. Throughout 2025, the services balance deficit was recorded at US$19.8 billion, up US$1.4 billion compared with 2024, which stood at US$18.4 billion.
Travel Services Imports: A Major Factor
One component driving the services balance deficit is the substantial volume of travel services imports.
Travel services imports reflect the spending of Indonesians whilst travelling abroad. This spending includes costs such as accommodation, food and beverage, transport, and shopping directly related to travel activities.
Bank Indonesia data shows that in 2025, Indonesian citizens’ travel services payment imports reached US13.79billion, equivalenttoRp231.47trillion(atanexchangerateassumptionofRp16, 785/US), and simultaneously became the highest in history. This value increased compared with 2024, which recorded US$13.45 billion.
It is worth noting that data on Indonesian citizens’ travel services payments to foreign countries are recorded as negative/deficit imports.
This increase also aligns with the rising number of domestic tourist travel to foreign countries.
Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that throughout 2025, the number of domestic tourist trips reached 9.16 million trips. This figure increased by 2.45% compared with 2024, which recorded 8.95 million trips.
BPS data also reveals where Indonesian citizens most frequently travel during overseas holidays. Throughout 2025, the top three destinations remain dominated by nearby countries and pilgrimage destinations.
Malaysia holds the largest share at 29.25%, followed by Saudi Arabia at 18.05%, and then Singapore at 13.41%. Malaysia and Singapore are favourites for good reason. They are close by, offer numerous flight options, and travel duration can be short, making them suitable for quick holidays.
Meanwhile, the high frequency of Indonesian citizens travelling to Saudi Arabia is largely due to purposes of undertaking umrah and hajj pilgrimages.
As is well known, the hajj season in 2025 took place from May to June, with Indonesia’s total hajj quota reaching 221,000 pilgrims, thus increasing travel flows to Saudi Arabia during this period.