Unemployment is a pervasive issue in almost every country, and it’s the government’s responsibility to address it. However, Indonesia is currently experiencing some positive developments in this area.
According to Deputy of Balance and Statistical Analysis at the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) Edy Mahmud, the number of unemployed individuals in Indonesia has decreased by 410,000 people in February 2023 compared to the same period last year, totaling 7.99 million people.
Looking into the details, Edy noted that the number of employed individuals has increased by 3.02 million people, while the number of unemployed individuals has decreased by 410,000 people or 4.88% from February 2022 to February 2023.
In February 2023, the number of employed individuals reached 138.63 million, while the number of unemployment was 7.99 million.
Further analysis shows that there are 92.16 million individuals who work full-time, a 3.74 million increase from the previous year. On the other hand, there are 36.88 million individuals who work part-time, a 0.34 million increase from the previous year.
Additionally, there are 9.59 million individuals categorized as “half-unemployed,” indicating that they work less than 35 hours per week but still accept other job opportunities.
In terms of the Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Indonesia recorded a TPAK of 69.3% in February 2023, which is slightly higher than the 69.21% recorded in February 2020. According to Edy, the TPAK signifies the potential of Indonesia’s labor force to participate in economic activities.
These developments in the labor market are indeed positive, and it indicates a steady growth in Indonesia’s economy. As Deputy Edy noted, “If we look at the changes from February 2022 to February 2023, the number of employed individuals has increased significantly, while the number of unemployed individuals has decreased, which is a good indication of the current state of the labor market.”
This trend can be attributed to various factors, such as government policies, technological advancements, and investment opportunities. The Indonesian government has implemented various programs to support job creation and entrepreneurship, such as the National Entrepreneurship Program and the Micro Enterprises Stimulus program.
Furthermore, the increasing use of technology in various industries has created new job opportunities and facilitated access to information and training.
Investment opportunities have also contributed to the growth of the labor market, attracting foreign investors and promoting economic development.
These developments are indeed significant, and they reflect the potential for Indonesia to achieve greater economic growth in the future. However, there is still much work to be done to address the issue of unemployment and create more sustainable job opportunities for Indonesians.
As Deputy Edy emphasized, “the government must continue to work to create more job opportunities and support the growth of the labor market to ensure a sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Indonesia.”
