Surging Investment Drives Batam's Poverty Rate Down to 3.81%

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — The flow of investment funds into Batam is being felt by local communities, as reflected in the decline in the city’s poverty rate.

This was stated by the head of the Batam Free Trade Zone Authority (BP Batam), who also serves as mayor of Batam, Amsakar Achmad.

“Batam’s poverty rate has fallen from 4.85% to 3.81% — a significant decline, and we received an award from the ministry for it,” he told CNBC Indonesia on Friday (17/7/2026).

Amsakar explained that investment flowing into Batam has served as a lever for inclusive economic growth.

“The economic growth that has our attention is inclusive growth — growth that delivers a real impact for the community is precisely what we hope for,” he said.

For context, Batam’s economy, measured by gross regional domestic product (GRDP) at current prices in 2025, reached Rp 253.64 trillion, and at constant 2010 prices stood at Rp 144.67 trillion. Batam’s economy grew by 6.76%.

Meanwhile, Amsakar also revealed that the value of investment in Batam jumped 72.38% in 2025 compared with 2024.

“As for the investment figures, the growth has been very significant. In 2024, our realised investment was Rp 25.46 trillion; in 2025 it rose to Rp 44.01 trillion, growing 72.83%. Against the 2025 target of Rp 36.9 trillion, our realisation was Rp 44.01 trillion,” he told CNBC Indonesia on Friday (17/7/2026).