BPS Records Indonesia's Poor Population Reduced by 430,000 as of March 2026

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded a reduction in the number of people living in poverty, based on the latest data collection in March 2026.

M. Edy Mahmud, BPS Deputy for Balance Sheet and Statistical Analysis, stated that the number of poor people in March 2026 was 22.93 million, a decrease of 0.43 million compared to September 2025.

“The percentage of poor people in urban areas in March 2026 was 6.34%, down compared to September 2025 which was 6.60%,” Edy said during the BPS release on Wednesday (5/8/2026).

According to Edy, based on BPS data, the trend in the number and rate of poverty has continued to decline from March 2023 to March 2026.

Edy further explained that the percentage of poor people in urban areas in March 2026 was 6.34%, a decrease compared to September 2025 which was 6.60%. Meanwhile, the percentage of poor people in rural areas in March 2026 was 10.67%, down from September 2025 which was 10.72%.

“However, the urban-rural disparity remains wide. In March 2026, the urban poverty rate was 6.34%, a decrease of 0.26% compared to September 2025. Meanwhile, the rural poverty rate was 10.67%,” he said.