Revealed! These 2 Business Sectors Absorb the Most Workers in Indonesia

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that the number of unemployed in Indonesia has fallen again, in line with increased labour absorption. Based on the latest BPS records on Indonesia’s employment structure as of May 2026, the number of unemployed fell to just 7.22 million people, a decrease of 24,000 people from the February 2026 figure. This condition occurred amidst an increase in the number of people employed to 148.19 million people, an increase of 522,000 people from the previous record. “The workforce not absorbed by the labour market, becoming unemployed, is 7.22 million people, or a decrease of 24,000 people,” said Deputy for Balance Sheet and Statistical Analysis at BPS, M. Edy Mahmud, during a press conference at the BPS head office in Jakarta, Wednesday (5/8/2026). BPS noted that the highest labour absorption in the May 2026 record was in the agricultural sector, with a total of 28.75 million people. This number increased by 106,000 people compared to the February 2026 record. The second highest absorption came from the wholesale and retail trade sector, reaching 17.80 million people, although this was a decrease of 128,000 people compared to February 2026. Third was the industrial sector, which absorbed 13.53 million people, with an increase of only 90,000 people compared to February 2026. However, the record for the largest increase in the number of workers came from the accommodation and food and beverage sector, which totalled 8 million people, with an increase of 195,000 people. This was followed by labour absorption in the transportation and storage sector, which reached 121,000 people, bringing the total number of workers in the sector to 4.26 million. “So, the highest labour absorption by business field in May 2026 was agriculture, wholesale trade, and industry,” Edy said.