Ministry: Majority of Indonesian Youth Still Aspire to Marry and Have Children

The Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga)/BKKBN has revealed that the majority of Indonesia’s young generation still place marriage and having children as ideal life goals for the future. This finding dispels the notion that family values are being abandoned by the new generation. Deputy for Population Control at Kemendukbangga/BKKBN, Bonivasius Prasetya Ichtiarto, explained that the desire to build a family is evenly distributed across various regions, from major provinces to eastern Indonesia. This data aligns with a UNFPA survey showing that Indonesian society retains a strong aspiration to have offspring. “The majority of society still chooses to marry. This finding is in line with the UNFPA survey that Indonesian society still has the desire to build a family and have children,” Bonivasius said during a media briefing to welcome World Population Day in Jakarta, Wednesday (8/7/2026). In line with the changing times, the government is now shifting its population perspective. The policy focus is no longer merely on limiting the number of children, but on realising quality families through the concept of sustainable demography or population balance. Bonivasius emphasised that the narrative being developed is now ‘Two children are healthier’, replacing the old slogan ‘Two children are enough’. The government allows families to have more than two children, provided that the quality of life, education, and health of the children are fully guaranteed. “Planning is cool to realise a quality family. The policy focus is no longer just limiting the number of children, but encouraging a population balance so that it is neither too many nor too few,” he added. Although the desire to marry remains high, the younger generation today faces more complex challenges. Based on a UNFPA survey in 73 countries, the biggest barrier (72 percent) for young people to have children is challenging economic conditions and limited access to adequate housing. In addition to financial factors, the pressure on working women who bear the burden of childcare is also a serious concern. As a solution, the Ministry is encouraging the provision of daycare facilities or ‘Taman Asuh Sayang Anak’ (Tamasya) in the workplace. The idea of providing daycare in companies has been conveyed in a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto as part of efforts to improve family resilience. The government is committed to continuing to support the younger generation in achieving financial stability as well as physical and mental health before entering marriage.