Pansus 11 Bandung City DPRD Highlights Decline in Birth Rates in Bandung

Special Committee (Pansus) 11 of Bandung City DPRD welcomed a range of inputs and policy dynamics in the discussion of the Regional Regulation Draft (Raperda) on the Grand Design for Population Development (GDPK) 2025-2045. Member of Pansus 11 Bandung City DPRD, Sherly Theresia, said that inputs include coming from the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). In the near future, the central government is also said to be issuing a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) related to the grand design for population. ‘God willing, it will be completed by the end of March. The latest information, in June or July a Perpres on the grand design for population will be issued. Therefore we must make adjustments so that this Raperda is aligned and can be translated into a Perwal or Perda,’ Sherly said. According to her, several points in the initial draft have been simplified and adjusted to be more effective and not overlap with central government regulations. One of the biggest homework items highlighted is the trend of declining birth rates in Bandung. Sherly considers this phenomenon needs serious attention because it could affect the city’s demographic structure in the long term. ‘Marriage rates are still relatively high, but the desire to have children is decreasing. If this continues, in ten years the population structure could be dominated by the elderly,’ she said. Sherly argues that education for the younger generation about family life is needed. She said having children is not a burden if prepared properly. ‘At least two children is enough. That is far better than none at all. There needs to be an understanding that getting married and having children is not as scary as it is imagined,’ she added. She then touched on lifestyle changes and the influence of foreign cultures which are seen as affecting the mindset of younger generations. The pressure of social media, a liberal lifestyle, and the notion that having children is a burden are now challenges in population development. Therefore, the government must prepare comprehensive regulations, especially in the education sector and improving human resource quality. ‘Population is not only about quantity but quality. Readiness from birth, access to education, and readiness to enter the job market must be ensured,’ Sherly said. On the other hand, she acknowledged that there are still challenges with the validity of population data. As a tourist city and destination city, Bandung hosts many newcomers. This often affects birth and death data, even though the person is not native to Bandung. ‘In numbers the data may be recorded, but it turns out they are not native to Bandung. This is what must be repaired so that the data base is truly accurate,’ Sherly concluded. (reported by rea/rir)