Poverty and Unemployment Rates in West Java Decline, Here is the Key
The West Java Provincial Government (Pemprov Jabar) recorded high performance in implementing regional development in 2025, with a score of 3.6672 based on the Minister of Home Affairs’ decision. This achievement has had a positive impact, one of which is evident from the decline in the poverty and open unemployment rates in West Java.
According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the percentage of poor people in West Java in 2025 was recorded at 6.78%, or around 3.55 million people. This figure is lower than the previous year, which stood at 7.08%.
West Java Deputy Governor Erwan Setiawan stated that various efforts have been made by the Provincial Government of West Java to reduce the poverty rate. These steps include reducing poverty pockets, lowering expenditure burdens, and increasing the income of poor communities.
In efforts to reduce poverty pockets, Pemprov Jabar has monitored food-vulnerable areas and compiled maps of food vulnerability and security.
Meanwhile, to curb community expenditure, throughout 2025 Pemprov Jabar has carried out the Affordable Food Movement 1,874 times in 27 regencies/cities, as well as holding Subsidised Market Operations. Through this programme, communities can obtain food commodities at more affordable prices.
In addition, efforts to reduce the expenditure burden on poor communities have also been carried out through interventions in the health sector to energy and mineral resources.
“The Provincial Government of West Java funds health insurance premiums for poor communities, thereby reducing poor communities’ expenditure,” said Erwan, in a written statement on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
In the energy and mineral resources sector, Pemprov Jabar has reduced the expenditure burden on poor communities by increasing the provision of electricity networks. As many as 76,123 potential electricity connection recipients have been identified in 1,367 villages/sub-districts.
In addition, increasing community income is carried out through training for Indonesian migrant workers.
“We also provide business capital assistance to 57 Joint Business Groups (KUBE) to increase the income of the poor,” he said.
Open Unemployment Rate Declines
The open unemployment rate in West Java in 2025 fell to 6.66%, from 6.75% in 2024, or a reduction of 0.09%. This means that out of 100 members of the workforce, around six to seven people are still unemployed.
This achievement exceeds the 2025 target of 6.99%, based on the November 2025 National Labour Force Survey.
Erwan said this decline was driven by increased absorption of labour in various sectors. Increases occurred in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector (0.10 million people), education (0.05 million people), and accommodation and food services (0.04 million people).
Conversely, labour absorption in the mining and quarrying sector declined by 0.04 million people.
The sectors with the largest contribution to labour absorption are motor vehicle and motorcycle repair and maintenance (22.44%), manufacturing industry (18.61%), and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (15.43%).