Ministry of Population Formulates Elderly Card to Alleviate Burden on Older Population

The Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga)/BKKBN is currently formulating an ‘Elderly Card’ to alleviate the burden on the elderly population in preparation for an ageing demographic.

“Our Elderly Card is currently being formulated; it is indeed somewhat complex. Although some versions are already operational, such as in DKI Jakarta, I believe they are already running. Some regencies and cities have implemented it by integrating it with local government programmes, so the cards are issued directly, though the models vary,” said the Minister of Population and Head of BKKBN, Wihaji, during the 30th National Elderly Day commemoration in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Minister Wihaji emphasised that Kemendukbangga/BKKBN continues to advocate for the Elderly Card programme to make it easier for the elderly to access various programmes, including discounts on public transport. He acknowledged that the programme is not yet perfect, but Kemendukbangga/BKKBN is working with various stakeholders to ensure that the elderly population can live with greater security and prosperity.

In conjunction with the 30th National Elderly Day and the upcoming 33rd National Family Day on 29 June 2026, Kemendukbangga/BKKBN held a graduation ceremony for 387 students from the Elderly School across various regions in Indonesia.

“Coincidentally, we are graduating 387 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students from the Elderly School, which is part of our ministry’s programme. This is a priority programme because Indonesia’s ageing population has already reached over 11 per cent, nearly 12 per cent. The state and the government need to be present because many of them experience loneliness. Therefore, we create activities, one of which is through the Elderly School Programme,” Wihaji added.