Creative Economy Development a Solution to Curb Youth Unemployment, Says Minister

Surabaya, East Java - Creative Economy Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya has stated that developing the creative economy sector has the potential to be a solution for reducing the open unemployment rate in Indonesia, particularly among the younger generation who dominate the job-seeking population. He noted that a high proportion of open unemployment comes from the young age group, with around 82.6 per cent of the 7.47 million unemployed people in Indonesia being Gen Z and millennials. “If the desire of Gen Z and millennials to work in the creative industry is so great, why don’t we make the creative industry a solution to reduce open unemployment,” Teuku said at the Jatim Media Summit 2026 in Surabaya on Thursday. He explained that the significant interest of the younger generation in the creative industry is an important asset for increasing labour absorption in the sector. According to him, Gen Z and millennials tend to seek jobs that align with their interests or passions, offer time flexibility, and provide opportunities for higher income compared to conventional jobs. “In the past, it might have been difficult to imagine, but in the current digital era, the opportunity to earn a larger income through the creative economy sector is very possible,” he said. Currently, the number of workers in the sector has reached approximately 27.4 million people, with 63 per cent of them being Gen Z and millennials and 58 per cent being women. Therefore, Teuku continues to encourage the strengthening of the creative economy ecosystem through improving human resource competencies, mentoring business actors, providing access to financing, and utilising digital technology so that more young people are absorbed into the sector.