Why do Chinese Indonesians or Chinese Indonesian descendants tend to be much wealthier than the rest of the population in Indonesia?

Yes, this was the question...

Why do Chinese Indonesians or Chinese Indonesian descendants tend to be much wealthier than the rest of the population in Indonesia?

My answer...

Hmmm... Why do Chinese Indonesians tend to be wealthier than most of the Indonesian population?

I think I have a unique insight into this question for the following reasons.

Even though I’m from the UK, I am married to an Indonesian and I have lived in Indonesia for 15 years. So I have a kind of independent viewpoint. I love Indonesians even though they are a bit crazy sometimes!

I am an ESL (teacher of foreign students) teacher. I have taught Indonesians from all different cultures and backgrounds including the Chinese Indonesians. I teach both in the classroom and in the electronic classroom (online - via email, Skype and WhatsApp).

Are they wealthier? Yes, the average Chinese Indonesian is wealthier than the rest of the population.

So here’s what I think…

First… as a background.

When I first met my wife (she’s from Jakarta) , I quickly realised she didn’t like the Chinese. When I asked her why, she claimed that they were rich! When I asked her why… she came up with a whole bunch of reasons (excuses) which didn’t make sense. When I asked what’s wrong with being rich… well, that really floored her!

So over time, I have realised that this dislike is culturally learned, in part because there are some big differences.

First, the majority of Chinese Indonesians are either Christian or Buddhist. The majority of Indonesians are Muslim. One big difference in a country which takes religion very seriously.

Second, (and I know some Indonesian readers are going to disagree) Chinese Indonesians are no smarter than anybody else BUT… they are very different in terms of attitude. I know this because I have been teaching them for 15 years.

Chinese parents tend to take their child’s education very seriously. Therefore, most of Chinese kids receive a much higher level of tuition (private). Also, a lot of Chinese kids get to study overseas after high school.

What I am saying here is that the Chinese invest a significant portion of their income into their kids’ education… regardless of their level of wealth. Some wealthier ‘native’ Indonesians do invest into their kids’ education if they are wealthier than the average Indonesian… however, if one compares which of these two population groups invest the most, it most definitely comes down on the side of the Chinese Indonesian… simply because of attitude… a mindset.

Third, Chinese Indonesians tend to have smaller families, whereas the ‘kampung’ (village) Indonesian seems set on populating the entire earth! I’ve come across kampung cewek-cewek (girls) who are married at 15 and have a bunch of kids by the time they are 20.

Fourth, many ‘native’ Indonesians who are poor, need their kids to go out and find work so they can contribute to the family income. It’s not uncommon for kids to bail out of school between the ages 12 - 14, before they complete formal schooling.

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BTW… I live in Sentul, Indonesia.

Finally, suffice to say, my lovely Indonesian wife now has many Chinese Indonesian friends.

So, are Chinese Indonesians wealthier because of talent? Absolutely not. They just think differently.

How do I know this?

I have taught Indonesian students who are now studying in universities such as Harvard and Cambridge. One student is a Class President at Harvard. End of argument, case dismissed.

An educated and motivated Indonesian student is great to teach, and as talented and smart as any global student (check global ratings in maths and science).

Beware the West and China! Indonesia is fast catching up.

Don’t believe me… come and check us out… forget about Bali… come to the real Indonesia… it will fascinate you and drive you insane, simultaneously.

Way to go… have some fun! I did, I wouldn’t or (more accurately) couldn’t live anywhere else.