Jakarta Among World’s Top 20 Cities for Museums

RRI.CO.ID, Bogor - Jakarta has officially joined the list of the world’s 20 cities with the highest number of museums in 2025. The data, released by the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF), compiles cultural statistics from 45 global cities representing around 260 million people, as highlighted in a publication by goodstats.id based on WCCF sources.

In the ranking, Jakarta placed 13th with a total of 79 museums, standing alongside major cultural centers such as Milan, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, and Amsterdam. This achievement positions Jakarta as a key cultural hub in Southeast Asia and strengthens Indonesia’s profile on the global cultural map.

Globally, Tokyo leads the list with 300 museums, followed by London (253), Beijing (241), and Paris (228). The dominance of these metropolitan centers underscores the role of museums not only as guardians of history but also as vital instruments in shaping the identity of modern cities.

Asia’s growing cultural influence is evident in the ranking, with three of the top five cities, namely Tokyo, Beijing, and Chengdu, located in the region. This reflects a shift in the world’s cultural power, which is no longer concentrated solely in Europe and North America.

For Jakarta, the presence of nearly 80 museums represents more than just a statistic. These institutions preserve the nation’s historical struggles, cultural evolution, and social identity across generations.

Beyond preservation, museums today serve as spaces for public education, tourism destinations, and platforms for young people to engage with history. Their transformation into creative and inclusive venues ensures continued relevance amid changing urban lifestyles.

Jakarta’s inclusion in the global top 20 marks a positive signal for the advancement of national culture. It is not merely about numbers, but about how history, identity, and the city’s future are nurtured, safeguarded, and passed on to the next generation. (Diva Rifdah/Sri Wahyuni)