Overview
01Overview
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, but this figure more than doubled to reach 350,880 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2025 was 356,899 (comprising 193,466 males and 163,433 females). 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.
History
01Etymology
The name Yahukimo is a combined word from the names of the tribes living in the area, the Yali, Hubla, Kimyal and Momuna.
Geography
01Geography
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.