Demographic Bonus: Sidaya Programme Key to Achieving Productive Elderly Population

The elderly are not merely beneficiaries but also have the potential to contribute to development—this is the foundation of the second demographic bonus concept.

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga/BKKBN) stated that the Lansia Berdaya or Sidaya Programme can realise a productive elderly community as part of Indonesia’s second demographic bonus.

Director of Elderly and Vulnerable Family Resilience at Kemendukbangga, Elsa Pongtuluran, said empowering the elderly is crucial in preparing for Indonesia’s second demographic bonus amid rising national elderly population.

“The elderly are not merely beneficiaries but also have the potential to contribute to development—this is the foundation of the second demographic bonus concept. We need lifelong education, skills development, and health improvements to keep the elderly productive,” Elsa said during a media dialogue in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The Sidaya Programme includes health checks, family-based support through Family Development for the Elderly, Elderly Schools as lifelong learning platforms, and productive economic training via elderly entrepreneurship programmes.

Elsa added that the programme involves cross-ministerial collaboration and partners as elderly labour is increasingly considered in the national job market.

According to the 2025 Inter-Census Population Survey (SUPAS) by Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesia’s elderly population stands at 11.97%. Twenty-three provinces have entered the aging population phase with over 10% elderly residents.

She noted Indonesia is undergoing demographic transition—with rising working-age population and declining birth rates. This initial phase, known as the first demographic bonus, has the potential to accelerate economic growth.

She explained the aging population phenomenon stems from increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates, influenced by successful family planning programmes, reduced infant mortality, improved education access, more job opportunities, greater gender equality, and better healthcare accessibility.

She warned that rising elderly numbers could become a social and economic burden without appropriate policies, hence the government promotes healthy, independent, and productive elderly populations.

As a concrete effort, Kemendukbangga/BKKBN is implementing the Sidaya Programme to enhance elderly quality of life toward Golden Indonesia 2045.