Jakarta Government Says 5.53 Million Workforce is an Economic Strength

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has stated that the capital’s workforce, which totals approximately 5.53 million people, can serve as a pillar of economic strength. Based on data from the DKI Jakarta Central Statistics Agency (BPS) for the period of February 2026, the workforce comprises 5.20 million employed individuals and around 334,000 unemployed persons. “The increase in the workforce to around 5.53 million people demonstrates public optimism about participating in the world of work,” said Taufik, Head of the Manpower Placement Division at the DKI Jakarta Manpower, Transmigration, and Energy Agency, during the opening of the East Jakarta Career Fest and Bazaar Wave I 2026 at the Ciracas Sports Hall on Tuesday. According to Taufik, this large workforce is a crucial asset for Jakarta to continue developing economic activity while improving public welfare. “Labour is one of the main foundations for realising public welfare,” he stated. BPS also recorded that the Open Unemployment Rate (TPT) in Jakarta stood at 6.03 per cent in February 2026, a decrease compared to 6.18 per cent in February 2025. “Based on BPS DKI Jakarta data for the February 2026 period, the employment conditions in DKI Jakarta Province show positive development,” he explained. Despite the positive trend, Taufik emphasised that the large workforce must be matched by an improvement in human resource quality to meet the dynamic demands of the job market. “The challenge is not only about the availability of jobs but also concerns the compatibility of workforce competencies with the needs of the business and industrial world, increased productivity, and the expansion of inclusive job opportunities,” he said. He further noted that East Jakarta is the most populous area in the capital, making the challenge of providing employment a shared concern. “The large number of working-age residents and new graduates each year demands a more massive expansion of job opportunities, improved human resource quality, and stronger collaboration between the government, businesses, and institutions,” he said. This situation is becoming more challenging as companies are currently providing relatively few job openings this year, based on information from the Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo). “I can convey that the release from our friends at Apindo Indonesia indicates that companies are still very limited in providing job opportunities this year,” Taufik said. He stated that this condition requires joint efforts between the government and the business sector, as the growth of the workforce must be balanced with adequate job opportunities. However, the large workforce also indicates strong labour market potential, and the government must ensure this potential can be matched with the needs of the business world. The East Jakarta Career Fest is being held in a hybrid format, online from 21 July to 5 August 2026 via the career.jakarta.go.id website, and offline on 28-29 July 2026 from 10:00 to 16:00 WIB at the Ciracas Sports Hall.