The World's Most Populous Island: Java

Java (Indonesia) is the most populous island on Earth, with **~152 million people** (2023 estimate) on 138,800 km²—density ~1,100/km².

Key Facts

• Capital: **Jakarta** (metro 33M) – also Indonesia's capital.
• Other major cities: Surabaya, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Solo.
• Volcanic spine: 45+ active volcanoes (Merapi, Bromo, Semeru).
• Cultural heart: Javanese, Sundanese, Betawi peoples; Borobudur, Prambanan temples.
• Economic engine: >50% of Indonesia's GDP.

Runners-Up

• Honshu (Japan) – 104M.
• Great Britain (UK) – 67M.
• Luzon (Philippines) – 64M.
• Sumatra (Indonesia) – 58M.

Java's fertility, historic trade, and political centralization drove millennia of dense settlement.