Research Reveals Improved Financial Resilience Among Ultra-Micro Families
JAKARTA – The financial resilience of ultra-micro business families has shown improvement in recent years. The BRI Research Institute’s 2023 study found that 69.2 per cent of ultra-micro customers of PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) experienced increased financial resilience, including a greater ability to withstand economic pressure for longer periods.
The study’s results show that 48.1 per cent of respondents now have financial resilience lasting one to two months without additional income. This figure has risen compared with the previous situation, when most families could only survive for one to two weeks.
PNM said the improvement was driven by a financing model combined with mentoring. In addition to accessing capital without collateral, customers attend Weekly Group Meetings (PKM) covering education on household financial management, business development, and strengthening networks between members.
PNM President Director Kindaris said the increased duration of financial resilience gives pre-prosperous families room to make more measured economic decisions when facing emergencies.
“For pre-prosperous families, that extra time provides room to make more rational economic decisions without being trapped in illegal loans or selling productive assets when facing urgent circumstances. Families have the opportunity to keep their businesses running, meet food needs more stably, and maintain their children’s education,” Kindaris said in a press release on Tuesday (28/7/2026).
According to Kindaris, better financial resilience also has an impact on families’ quality of life, including children’s chances of staying in school and receiving adequate nutrition.
“Economic stability creates a more conducive environment for children to learn and develop, while reducing the risk of intergenerational poverty cycles re-emerging,” he said.
Chief Operating Officer of Danantara and Head of the SOE Management Agency Dony Oskaria said ultra-micro financing must deliver broader benefits than merely access to business capital.
“Strengthening ultra-micro financing must be able to expand people’s access to business while encouraging sustainable family economic independence,” he said.
PNM believes the improved financial resilience of millions of ultra-micro families also strengthens the economic resilience of communities. Households with financial reserves are considered better able to maintain consumption during an economic slowdown, keeping local economic activity running.