Beware! Indonesia is Ageing Rapidly, These are the 10 Provinces with the Most Elderly People
Indonesia is entering a new phase in its demographic dynamics. The latest data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that the population growth rate has slowed to an average of 1.08% per year over the last five years.
This decline aligns with the downward trend in the total fertility rate (TFR), which now stands at 2.13. In other words, Indonesia’s population growth is no longer as rapid as in previous decades.
At the same time, the age structure of the population is undergoing a significant shift. The productive age group still dominates, with around 68.98% from Generation X, millennials, and Generation Z. However, behind this dominance, the proportion of elderly population continues to increase and has now reached 11.97%.
Regions Begin to Age, Elderly Concentrated in Certain Areas
Population ageing is not occurring evenly across all regions of Indonesia. Several provinces record elderly rates far above the national average, indicating a concentration of the ageing population phenomenon in certain areas.
This condition serves as an important signal for policy formulation, particularly regarding health, social protection, and employment.
- DI Yogyakarta Becomes the Province with the Highest Elderly Population
DI Yogyakarta records the highest percentage of elderly in Indonesia, reaching 17.83%. This figure far exceeds the national average of 11.97%.
This phenomenon is inseparable from several factors, such as a high life expectancy and the tendency for young people to migrate out to other areas. In addition, this province is considered to have relatively low living costs, making it one of the preferred locations for retirees.
As a result, the population composition in Yogyakarta is dominated by the elderly age group, which ultimately accelerates population ageing in the region.
- East Java, Bali, and Central Java Also Experiencing Rapid Ageing
After Yogyakarta, several other provinces also show high elderly rates. East Java (15.75%), Bali (15.07%), and Central Java (14.43%) are the next regions with the largest proportions of elderly.
The high life expectancy in these provinces is the main factor behind the high proportion of elderly in these areas. The culture upheld strongly influences a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Nevertheless, this ageing data illustrates the high needs of these provinces for adequate health systems and social security in the medium to long term.
Nearly Half of Provinces Have Entered the Ageing Population Phase
Nationally, a region is categorised as experiencing an ageing population when the proportion of elderly exceeds 10%. Based on the latest data, nearly half of Indonesia’s provinces have surpassed this threshold.
This means that the issue of population ageing is no longer a limited phenomenon, but rather a structural trend that will increasingly spread. This phenomenon must be anticipated with adaptive policies.