BPS Launches Economic Census in Central Java, Targeting Accurate and High-Quality Data

Statistics Indonesia (BPS RI) has officially launched the 2026 Economic Census (SE2026) in Central Java Province, which for the first time will also cover the agricultural sector in order to present a complete portrait of economic activity. At the event held at Pancasila Square, Simpang Lima Semarang, on Thursday (18/6), Deputy Head of BPS RI Sonny Harry Budiutomo Harmadi expressed his appreciation for the Central Java Provincial Government’s support for the SE2026 implementation and the local government’s commitment to producing high-quality data for targeted development policies. “Appreciation to Central Java, especially the Governor, for the extraordinary support for the 2026 Economic Census. This support also explains that targeted development requires quality data,” Sonny said in a written statement on Friday (19/6/2026). He also explained Central Java’s role as a national economic powerhouse with a strong business foundation, reflected in the province’s economic growth consistently exceeding the national growth rate from the first quarter of 2025 to the first quarter of 2026. This fact also paves the way for Central Java to become an investment target for other countries. Sonny reported that the number of businesses in Central Java in 2026 has reached nearly 5 million units, equivalent to 25.76 percent of all businesses on Java Island and 15.25 percent of the total businesses in Indonesia. Furthermore, there has been a significant increase in the number of businesses in Central Java over the last two decades, rising from 3.69 million business units in 2006 to 4.93 million units today, with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) accounting for around 4.8 million. The launch of SE2026, oriented towards the scale and dynamics of the economy, is considered strategic as the census is expected to comprehensively describe the structure and characteristics of businesses in Central Java. Sonny urged the public to make SE2026 a success with the ‘TIR’ message: Welcome SE2026 officers, Fill in data correctly, and Data confidentiality is guaranteed. He stressed that their participation and acceptance are determining factors for the success of SE2026. “I tirelessly invite everyone to make SE2026 a collective movement. Statistical data is not just numbers. Behind the statistics are millions of people hoping, millions of business actors hoping, so statistical data is interpreted as humanity,” he asserted. On the same occasion, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi expressed full support for the SE2026 implementation, stating that the census data would serve as a crucial foundation for the local government in formulating future development directions and economic policies. “I express my gratitude and support BPS for carrying out the 2026 Economic Census. This Economic Census must succeed because the data produced will become a roadmap for all district/city officials,” Luthfi said. In his remarks, he invited all regents, mayors, business actors, and the public to fully support SE2026 by providing accurate information. According to him, the participation of all parties will produce a factual and comprehensive economic map of Central Java. During the event, Ahmad Luthfi also placed identification badges on SE2026 officers, symbolising the census implementation. It was reported that 36,891 officers have been deployed to carry out SE2026, equipped with official attributes including identification badges with QR codes, official SE2026 vests, and assignment letters.