Indonesia – an archipelago of 17,508 islands with a population of nearly 240 million – has made considerable economic progress in recent years, partly as a result of financial sector and economic reforms introduced since democratic elections in 2005. Growth has continued despite the 2004 Asian tsunami, which devastated Indonesia’s coastline killing some 160,000 Indonesians and leaving 500,000 homeless.

Current issues facing Indonesia include poverty alleviation, poor infrastructure, unequal distribution of resources across the country and consolidating peace and democracy after four decades of authoritarian rule. A historic peace agreement with separatist guerrillas has brought Indonesia’s longstanding war in Aceh Province to an end. However, Indonesia continues to face a low intensity war in Papua.

Sources: OCHA, CIA World Fact Book, UNICEF, EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database.