Assessing Malioboro's Economic Vitality through the 2026 Economic Census
The bustling tourism in the Malioboro area, a one-kilometre stretch in the heart of Yogyakarta, never seems to sleep. As a shopping tourism icon in the city known for education and tourism, this area—part of the UNESCO World Heritage ‘Philosophical Axis’—is home to thousands of MSMEs selling everything from batik and bags to local culinary delights like gudeg and bakpia.
Beyond retail, the area thrives with street musicians, traditional rickshaw (becak) and horse carriage (andong) drivers, hotels, franchised outlets, and shopping malls. To capture this continuous economic activity, the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) is conducting the 2026 Economic Census.
Local traders, such as Yati, a batik shop worker at Beringharjo Market, and Jeki, a souvenir vendor at Teras Malioboro, confirmed that BPS officers have already begun surveying business activities. For some, like food vendor Misno, the census serves as an opportunity to voice the challenges faced by traders, expressing hope for improved business conditions.
Joko Prayitno, Head of BPS Yogyakarta, stated that data collection in Yogyakarta is progressing according to target. With 342 officers deployed to cover ,2067 local environmental units (SLS), the progress on the ground has exceeded initial targets. He noted that the Malioboro area is a particularly vital area for the census due to its role as the heart of Yogyakarta’s economy, and reported that there has been no significant resistance from residents.
Prayitno emphasised that all respondent information is strictly protected under Law No. 16/1997 on Statistics, which prohibits the disclosure of respondent data under penalty of criminal sanctions. He assured that BPS employs strict encryption and security measures, and that the data is intended solely for statistical purposes such as development planning and economic policy evaluation, rather than for audits, investigations, or taxation.
During the launch of the Economic Census in Yogyakarta on 18 June, Sonny Harry Budiutomo Harmadi, Deputy Head of BPS RI, highlighted Yogyakarta’s significance, noting its high Human Development Index. Furthermore, the Governor of DIY, Sri Sultan HB X, emphasised the importance of the 2026 Economic Census in producing accurate and high-quality data. Such data is essential for formulating policies to develop MSMEs, strengthen investment, increase regional competitiveness, and expand employment opportunities.