Indonesia endures weakest GDP growth since 2001 as pandemic hits

Household consumption plummets despite no COVID-19 cases until start of March

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Social distancing measures in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta were only introduced mid-March, sparing the economy from a more drastic contraction in the first quarter. © AP

SHOTARO TANI, Nikkei staff writer

May 5, 2020 14:27 JST

Updated on May 5, 2020 16:07 JST

JAKARTA -- Indonesia's economic growth slowed more than expected in the first quarter of 2020 as the impact of the coronavirus had a devastating effect on the archipelago.

Officials are expecting a further deceleration as the number of patients continues to rise.