Decile Data Inaccurate? Here is Direct Advice from BPS

Changes in decile data have recently drawn widespread public attention. This is because many citizens believe their assigned decile does not reflect their actual economic condition, resulting in them being excluded from receiving social assistance.

The Secretary of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), Zulkipli, stated that the public can check their status as aid recipients through facilities provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos). According to him, citizens can verify their status as aid recipients directly.

“There is a social assistance check facility provided, so if we feel uncertain about the decile we occupy in that list, we can answer the questions contained within it,” he said at Jakarta City Hall on Monday (31/8/2026).

He added that members of the public can visit their local sub-district office (kelurahan) if they require assistance during the application process. The sub-district officials will assist residents in completing the forms through the available facilities.

“Why should they go to the sub-district office? Because the facilities are available there, and we can ask questions and receive help; the sub-district officials will assist in filling out the forms provided within that facility,” he explained.

Zulkipli noted that data submitted for verification will be processed within approximately three months. BPS will subsequently publish updated decile data on a regular basis.

“Therefore, during that three-month period, verification will be conducted. BPS will publish the new decile data every three months,” he said.

It is noted that deciles are used to group the welfare levels of the population within the National Single Social and Economic Data (DTSEN), which is now one of the government’s primary references for determining the targets of various programmes. BPS emphasised that the DTSEN is continuously being updated to ensure that socio-economic data more accurately reflects actual conditions.