Government Prepares Citizens Approaching Old Age, Anticipates Indonesia Becoming an Aged Nation

The government is strengthening regulations and policies on ageing in the face of a demographic transition towards an aged society, noting the need for a paradigm shift in how the ageing process is viewed. Deputy for Community Empowerment, Population, and Manpower at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, Maliki, stated at a National Seminar on Strengthening Ageing Regulations and Policies in Jakarta that Indonesia has entered a phase of an ageing population. The number of elderly citizens has reached approximately 34.7 million people, or 12.33 percent of the total population in 2025, and is projected to increase to 20.31 percent by 2045. This demographic shift requires strengthened policies and service systems so that every person can age prosperously, independently, and with dignity. The regulatory and policy strengthening also encompasses a paradigm shift to ensure a life-cycle approach, intergenerational collaboration, ageing in place, healthy ageing, and cross-sector collaboration, including optimising the role of non-government actors. “Strengthening elderly policy requires a paradigm shift in viewing the ageing process. The current approach focusing on the elderly group is still very partial. So, it is not just intervention for the elderly, but we must intervene based on the life cycle. If we do not intervene now to prepare them for old age, I think we will not be ready to become an aged country,” Maliki said. According to Maliki, changing the perspective on the elderly is a prerequisite for preparing Indonesia to face the demographic transition. The elderly are no longer positioned merely as recipients of social assistance, but as citizens who have rights and can still contribute to development. In line with this, Member of Commission VIII and the House of Representatives Legislative Body, Selly Andriany Gantina, assessed that revising Law Number 13 of 1998 on Elderly Welfare is an urgent need so that ageing policies can keep pace with changes in the population structure. In several regions, commitment to ageing issues has begun to be translated into policies and programmes tailored to local needs. For instance, the Raja Ampat Regency government in Southwest Papua is developing the ORISUN (Orang Raja Ampat Hidup Sejahtera di Usia Senja) programme to strengthen social protection for indigenous Papuan elders. The programme is supported by matching the National Single Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN) with the Southwest Papua Information System (SIOPADA) to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable groups. The national seminar was a collaborative effort between the government and development partners, including SKALA (Synergy and Collaboration for Accelerating Basic Services) and INKLUSI, the Australia-Indonesia Partnership programme to support strengthening inclusive basic service policies for vulnerable groups. Regulatory reform is considered an important and strategic agenda for strengthening long-term care systems, developing age-friendly environments, utilising disaggregated data, and mainstreaming ageing issues in national and regional development planning. The success of these efforts depends on collaboration between the central government, regional governments, civil society organisations, and various stakeholders to ensure every citizen can age healthily, safely, and with dignity.