The meaning behind red and blue backgrounds on Indonesian ID card photos

The background colour of an electronic Identity Card (KTP-el) photo is not chosen at random. The difference between a red and blue background has a specific meaning related to the cardholder’s year of birth.

The KTP-el is an official identity document for Indonesian residents issued by the Civil Registry (Dukcapil). During the recording process, citizens cannot choose their photo’s background colour, as it is determined by population administration rules.

A blue background on the KTP photo is designated for Indonesian citizens born in an even-numbered year. For example, those born in 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, or other even years will receive a KTP with a blue background. The use of blue helps group population data based on year of birth, simplifying administrative processes.

Meanwhile, a red background is used for citizens born in an odd-numbered year. For instance, residents born in 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, or other odd years will have a KTP with a red background. This colour difference does not indicate status, gender, or a person’s level of importance; it is solely a marker based on the cardholder’s year of birth.

The Directorate General of Dukcapil at the Ministry of Home Affairs explained that the different background colours are used to aid identification and population data grouping. This visual marker makes administrative verification processes easier. The photo background colour is also part of the information elements within the population documents managed by the government through its civil administration system.

Citizens cannot choose the background colour when their KTP-el is recorded. Dukcapil officers conduct the recording process according to existing population data, including the cardholder’s year of birth. Therefore, a person born in an even year will get a blue background, while a person born in an odd year will get a red one.

The difference in colour does not affect the function or validity of the document. Both types of KTP hold equal standing as the official identity of an Indonesian resident. The KTP-el can still be used for various administrative purposes, such as accessing public services, banking, education, and various government services.