Informal workers in Jakarta increase in February 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of DKI Jakarta states that the percentage of Jakarta’s population engaged in informal activities totalled 1.98 million people, or 38.13%, in February 2026, an increase of 0.18% compared to February 2025.

“The increase in the proportion of informal workers was mainly driven by the addition of workers with self-employed status, which provided the largest change in the number of workers among other employment statuses,” said the Head of BPS DKI Jakarta, Kadarmanto, in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Of the 5.2 million working residents in Jakarta in February 2026, 23.48% were self-employed, an increase of 20,750 people compared to the same month in 2025.

Based on main employment status, self-employment is categorised as informal activity, as are freelance workers and unpaid family workers.

Meanwhile, those working in formal activities include individuals with statuses of assisted business with permanent/paid labourers and labourers/employees/civil servants.

Kadarmanto stated that the proportion of formal workers in Jakarta recorded in February 2026 was 3.22 million people, or 61.87%, a decrease of 0.18% compared to February 2025, which reached 62.05%.

Furthermore, the status of labourers, employees, or civil servants experienced the largest increase in employment numbers from February 2025 to February 2026.

“The status of labourers, employees, and civil servants increased by around 16,000 people, while self-employed increased by around 20,000 people,” said Kadarmanto.

Based on business fields, wholesale and retail trade is the largest absorber of labour in Jakarta, with a contribution of 22.4%, employing 1.16 million people.

“This aligns with its contribution to Jakarta’s economy,” explained Kadarmanto.

The next largest business field absorbing labour in DKI Jakarta is accommodation and food and beverage services, contributing 13.28% to the working population in Jakarta.