BPS and Dukcapil Strengthen One Data Initiative, Digital ID Called a Game Changer
Deputy for Social Statistics at the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), M. Nashrul Wajdi, stated that the digital transformation of public services cannot rely solely on technology. The biggest challenges lie in data quality, human resource readiness, and public awareness to continuously update population data.
Nashrul explained that BPS exchanges data with the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil) almost daily. This collaboration forms the foundation for compiling various social statistics and supports government policies moving towards a single national data system. “Data kependudukan adalah data dasar untuk seluruh pelayanan publik. Karena itu, akurasinya harus dipastikan,” Nashrul said during the 2026 Dukcapil National Coordination Meeting in Jakarta on 4 August 2026.
He noted that one form of collaboration involves updating the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN). BPS uses population data access from Dukcapil to ensure that data for social protection programme recipients is always updated. The DTSEN currently records approximately 290.1 million Indonesian residents.
Nashrul emphasised that DTSEN is a dynamic database that changes with population dynamics. He urged both the government and the public to use the most recent data versions to avoid policy disputes. “Jangan sampai kita berdebat karena menggunakan versi data yang berbeda,” he said.
He described the Digital Population Identity (IKD) as a “game changer” in realising the One National Data vision. By linking digital identities through the National Identity Number (NIK), the government can verify residents’ identities more quickly and accurately, allowing various public services to be integrated.
However, Nashrul identified three main challenges to digital transformation. The first is the low public awareness to update population data when changes occur, such as moving domicile, forming a new family card, births, or deaths. He warned that outdated data in the system could lead to inaccurate policy targeting.
The second challenge is the discrepancy between residents’ actual domiciles and the addresses listed on their ID cards. BPS identified that around 9 percent of the population lives at an address different from their administrative records. Nashrul cautioned that in the IKD era, such mismatches could prevent citizens from receiving the services they are entitled to in their actual area of residence.
The third challenge is encouraging timely recording of all vital events, including births, deaths, migration, and changes in family status. Nashrul stressed that continuously updated data serves as the foundation for various government policies.
He cited the distribution of social assistance as an example, where the government cross-verifies welfare data in DTSEN with other databases using the NIK, such as vehicle ownership and land assets. This mechanism aims to make aid distribution more targeted and reduce potential errors. “If we have one integrated data system, the verification process will be much easier because various data can be linked through the NIK,” he said.
Nashrul concluded that population data is not merely a collection of statistics; behind every figure lies the life story of the community, which forms the basis for development policies. “Data is not just numbers. Behind every piece of data is the story of people’s lives, and that data must be utilised to the greatest extent for the people’s prosperity,” he said.
Director of Population and Civil Registration Apparatus Development at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Erliani Budi Lestari, added that improving the competence of apparatus is a key factor in the success of Dukcapil’s digital services. She stated that Dukcapil officers are now required to master various skills as the use of population data expands in public services. “The key to the success of the Dukcapil organisation lies in the commitment of its human resources. They must have competencies that match their duties,” she said at the same event.
Erliani explained that technical competence is a primary need because around 90 percent of Dukcapil’s work now depends on digital systems. In addition to technical skills, officers are also required to have managerial competencies, such as leadership, coordination, and the ability to build collaboration with various agencies, given that population administration services are increasingly integrated with sectors like health, education, and social protection.