High School and Vocational Graduates Contribute the Most to Unemployment in Jakarta

JAKARTA - Statistics Indonesia (BPS) DKI Jakarta records that high school and vocational school graduates form the group with the highest unemployment rate in Jakarta. “In February 2026, the open unemployment rate (TPT) for general high school graduates was 7.58 percent,” stated the Head of BPS DKI Jakarta, Kadarmanto, in his official remarks on Wednesday (6/5/2026). Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for vocational school graduates was recorded higher, at 8.15 percent. Based on the National Labour Force Survey (Sakernas) in February 2026, the number of unemployed people in Jakarta reached 333,860. Overall, Jakarta’s TPT in February 2026 was at 6.03 percent. “This means that out of every 100 members of the labour force, around six people are yet to find work,” said Kadarmanto. When viewed by gender, the unemployment rate for males remains higher than for females. The male TPT was recorded at 6.54 percent, while for females it was 5.28 percent. On the other hand, the number of workers in Jakarta experienced an increase. In February 2026, the total labour force reached 5.53 million people, with 5.20 million of them already employed. From the business sector perspective, the trade sector is the largest absorber of labour in Jakarta, contributing 22.40 percent. The next positions are occupied by the accommodation and food and beverage sector at 13.28 percent, transportation and storage at 11.85 percent, manufacturing industry at 10.74 percent, and other service activities at 10.53 percent. The majority of Jakarta residents who work are employees or labourers, accounting for 57.91 percent. Meanwhile, based on employment status, 61.87 percent of workers are in the formal sector and 38.13 percent work in the informal sector.