Yahukimo Regency is one of the regencies (kabupaten) in the Indonesian province of Highland Papua. It covers an area of 17,152 km2, and had a population of 164,512 at the 2010 Census,Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. but this figure more than doubled to reach 350,880 at the 2020 Census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as at mid 2025 was 356,899 (comprising 193,466 males and 163,433 females).Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Yahukimo Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.9416) The official administrative centre of Yahukimo Regency is at Sumohai, which is located 25 kilometres north of the town of Dekai, but - due to the lack of infrastructure in Sumohai - the actual administrative centre of the regency is in Dekai. The regency was formerly part of the Jayawijaya Regency, but was split off to become a separate regency on 11 December 2002.

Etymology The name Yahukimo is a combined word from the names of the tribes living in the area, the Yali, Hubla, Kimyal and Momuna.

Geography Yahukimo Regency is located in Highland Papua Province, Indonesia. Its geography consists mostly of mountainous areas and highlands. The regency has mountainous terrain and dense forests, with altitudes varying from lowlands to high mountains. This hilly topography makes access to some areas difficult and isolated. In addition, Yahukimo is also crossed by several rivers and has a high diversity of flora and fauna. The climate in this area is generally tropical with quite high rainfall throughout the year.

Demography

Yahukimo Regency has a diverse population with several indigenous Papuan ethnic groups dominating the region. The tribes found in Yahukimo Regency are Yali, Hupla, Kimyal, Momuna, Una-Ukam, Mek, Yalimek, Ngalik, Tokuni, Obini, Karowai, Duwe, Obukain, Kopkaka and Bese. Local Papuan languages are often used in everyday life, in addition to Indonesian.

The population density in Yahukimo is relatively low compared to other areas in Papua, largely due to the difficult terrain and underdeveloped infrastructure. Most people live in small settlements scattered throughout the area. The economy in Yahukimo is largely based on subsistence agriculture, with some people also involved in hunting and forest gathering.

Overall, Yahukimo's demographics reflect the diversity of local Papuan cultures and traditions, with challenges related to developing basic infrastructure and services in a remote and difficult-to-access area.

Incident

On December 9, 2005, it was reported that around 55 residents of Krapon District died of starvation due to being late in planting tubers (hipere) which are a food source in the area. The area is remote and can only be reached by plane.

Administrative districts The existing Yahukimo regency comprises fifty-one districts (distrik), tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census and the 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as at mid 2025.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Yahukimo Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.9416) The regency has a greater number of districts within it than any other regency in Indonesia; however, proposals are currently under consideration by the Indonesian government to divide Yahukimo Regency into several new regencies. The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 510 rural kampung and 1 urban kelurahan - the town of Obolma), and its postal code.

Kode Wilayah Name ofDistrict(distrik) Area in km2 Pop'n 2010Census Pop'n 2020Census Pop'n mid 2025Estimate Admincentre No.ofvillages Postcode 95.03.01 Kurima 605 6,622 16,188 16,486Obolma 23 99705 95.03.12 Musaik 452 3,351 6,733 6,837Usaregeik 10 99707 95.03.07 Dekai 520 6,844 17,316 17,661Dekai 12 99702 95.03.08 Obio 470 4,177 6,194 6,214Obio 13 99708 95.03.13 Pasema 320 1,692 5,810 5,332Pasema 7 99709 95.03.11 Amuma 376 4,280 13,931 13,431Amuma 13 99701 95.03.09 Suru Suru 431 3,363 7,040 4,198Gofa 7 99715 95.03.10 Wusama 360 4,315 7,870 7,368Apdagma 11 99719 95.03.04 Silimo 536 5,663 13,795 14,006Silimo 20 99712 95.03.03 Ninia 390 4,093 6,973 7,267Ninia 10 99740 95.03.34 Huluwon 190 3,408 5,424 5,414Holuwon 7 99733 95.03.35 Lolat 341 3,800 6,228 6,764Wanim 8 99739 95.03.39 Langda 341 2,308 7,031 7,154Langda 9 99738 95.03.40 Bomela 350 1,466 5,005 5,750Bomela 6 99731 95.03.41 Suntamon 331 1,309 4,487 4,526Suntamon 8 99744 95.03.43 Sobaham 331 3,410 7,443 7,329Yalisomon 13 99742 95.03.38 Korupun 230 4,838 9,819 10,540Koropun 12 99735 95.03.37 Sela 354 4,969 11,368 13,505Sela 16 99741 95.03.45 Kwelemdua 331 2,736 6,601 7,825Debula 10 99736 95.03.02 Anggruk 440 1,649 5,183 5,252Yaholikma 12 99751 95.03.20 Panggema 530 3,126 7,647 7,016Pontenikma 13 99759 95.03.25 Walma 341 1,792 4,720 4,372Walma 8 99765 95.03.21 Kosarek 350 3,988 6,288 6,582Kosarek 11 99756 95.03.23 Ubahak 432 7,310 12,005 12,200Ubahak 17 99763 95.03.06 Nalca 225 3,534 7,475 7,262Nalca 8 99757 95.03.30 Puldama 272 1,928 6,196 5,938Puldama 8 99761 95.03.22 Nipsan 341 2,887 3,538 3,787Nipsan 8 99758 95.03.05 Samenage 361 2,044 5,946 6,119Samenage 9 99710 95.03.18 Tangma 340 4,239 5,144 5,669Tangma 10 99716 95.03.16 Soba 162 1,129 4,485 4,725Soba 6 99713 95.03.15 Mugi 311 4,489 7,812 7,886Kosihun 20 99706 95.03.49 Yogosem 150 1,004 5,020 4,284Yogosem 7 99720 95.03.50 Kayo 198 1,405 4,767 4,471Kayo 7 99704 95.03.51 Sumo 350 3,419 5,953 6,705Sumo 11 99714 95.03.14 Hogio 374 3,201 6,858 6,436Paima 8 99703 95.03.19 Ukha 360 4,276 6,528 5,917Ukha 10 99717 95.03.17 Werima 360 4,037 7,265 7,432Werima 14 99718 95.03.36 Soloikma 344 3,146 5,953 6,451Weawen 8 99743 95.03.42 Seradala 340 4,182 4,373 5,082Seradala 9 99711 95.03.44 Kabianggama 329 2,453 5,436 5,536Kabianggama 7 99734 95.03.46 Kwikma 351 2,304 5,177 5,728Silakma 10 99737 05.03.47 Hilipuk 180 4,490 6,387 7,262Hilipuk 7 99732 95.03.26 Yahuliambut 340 1,035 5,348 4,946Sabundalek 5 99745 95.03.27 Hereapini 361 2,995 6,674 7,103Hereapini 11 99755 95.03.28 Ubalihi 340 1,422 6,618 7,664Wanam 11 99764 95.03.29 Talambo 342 2,262 4,739 3,769Lelambo 9 99762 95.03.24 Pronggoli 330 2,359 6,591 6,452Siwikma 8 99760 95.03.31 Endomen 343 2,458 5,203 5,463Endomen 8 99754 95.03.32 Kona 126 2,266 2,637 3,067Kona 5 99721 95.03.48 Duram 100 3,225 4,816 5,279Duram 6 99753 95.03.33 Dirwemna 170 1,814 2,842 3,437Dirwemna 5 99752 Totals 17,152 164,512 350,880 356,899Dekai 511

References

External links Statistics publications from Statistics Indonesia (BPS)