The most populous city in the world is facing a silent but constant threat that puts its future at risk: Jakarta is sinking at an alarming rate. This phenomenon, known as land subsidence, combined with rising sea levels and uncontrolled urban growth, has turned this megacity into one of the most vulnerable places on the planet in the face of the climate and environmental crisis.
With a metropolitan area that is home to more than 40 million people, Jakarta is not only one of the most densely populated urban centers in the world but also one of the most exposed to water-related disasters. Experts warn that some areas are sinking by approximately 7.5 centimeters per year, a figure that far exceeds the global average rate of subsidence in coastal cities.
Why is Jakarta sinking?
The problem has multiple causes, most of them linked to human activity. One of the main factors is the excessive extraction of groundwater. A large part of the population and many industries rely on wells for their water supply, as access to safe drinking water networks is not uniform. This overexploitation causes aquifers to empty, the soil to lose support and compact, leading to the gradual lowering of the land surface.
Jakarta’s geographic location also plays a role. The city is built on soft soils, former swamps, and alluvial plains along the coast of the Java Sea. These natural characteristics make it particularly vulnerable to both sinking and flooding.
Rapid urbanization is another key factor. Population growth and the expansion of infrastructure — buildings, roads, shopping centers — put additional pressure on already unstable ground. The weight of the city, quite literally, contributes to its descent.
In addition, climate change worsens the situation. Rising sea levels and the increased frequency of extreme rainfall intensify flooding, reduce drainage capacity, and cause water to remain in low-lying areas longer.
Consequences already being felt
Jakarta’s sinking is not a future threat; it is a daily reality for millions of people. In many neighborhoods, especially in the northern part of the city, flooding is frequent. Streets, homes, and businesses are submerged during periods of heavy rainfall, affecting health, mobility, and the local economy.
Urban infrastructure is also suffering. Cracked roads, tilted buildings, and overloaded sewer systems are visible signs of the problem. Keeping basic services — transportation, energy, and drinking water — operational is becoming increasingly costly and complex.
International organizations have identified Jakarta as one of the most critical cases of urban vulnerability to climate change. The combination of land subsidence and rising sea levels creates a scenario in which large areas could remain permanently below water level in the coming decades.
@uptin Why is this capital sinking?
The government’s response: a new capital
Given the scale of the challenge, the Indonesian government decided to relocate the administrative capital to a new city called Nusantara, which is being built on the island of Borneo. The goal is to reduce the pressure on Jakarta, ease its population density, and lower the risks to government functions.
However, the relocation does not fully resolve the situation for those who will continue living in the country’s current economic capital. For this reason, mitigation measures have also been proposed, such as the construction of giant sea walls, improvements to drainage systems, and the expansion of drinking water networks to reduce reliance on wells. Nevertheless, high costs, technical complexity, and the magnitude of the subsidence make a quick solution difficult.