BPS: 24.77 Million West Java Residents Employed, Up on 2025

Bandung (ANTARA) - Employment in West Java showed positive movement in the second half of 2026, with 24.77 million people recorded as working in August, an increase of around 260,000 compared with the same period in 2025.

“Based on the results of the National Labour Force Survey (Sakernas), 24.77 million people are currently recorded as employed, an increase of around 260,000 compared with August 2025,” said Margaretha Ari Anggorowati, head of Statistics Indonesia (BPS) in West Java, in Bandung on Thursday.

Ari said wholesale and retail trade was the largest employment sector, accounting for 23.04 per cent of the total number of people in work.

“It was followed by manufacturing and agriculture,” she said.

The decline in the open unemployment rate, she added, was recorded across all regencies and cities in West Java. Bekasi Regency had the highest rate, at 8.71 per cent.

Pangandaran Regency recorded the lowest rate, at 1.76 per cent, she said.

In terms of working hours, the proportion of full-time workers—those working at least 35 hours a week—increased to 74.39 per cent.

The labour-force participation rate stood at 66.78 per cent. Women’s participation rose from 49.17 per cent in August 2025 to 50.16 per cent in August 2026.