The Purpose of the 2026 Economic Census for the Public

As the 2026 Economic Census is being carried out, many members of the public are asking whether being recorded will lead to receiving aid. Why does data collection continue, while the benefits are not always directly felt? Is this data collection related to taxes? These questions are considered reasonable. The more often the public is asked to provide information, the greater the expectation that the purpose and benefits of the data collection can be explained openly and in an easily understandable manner. Firstly, the Economic Census is not tax data collection. In Indonesia, this census is conducted by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) every ten years as mandated by the Statistics Law. Its purpose is to obtain a comprehensive picture of the public’s economic activities. “The data collected is used solely for statistical purposes. The confidentiality of individual and business data is protected by law. What is published is not individual data, but a general picture of the condition and structure of the Indonesian economy,” BPS stated in a written release on Thursday (23/6/2026). Secondly, the Economic Census is not a list of aid recipients. Participating in the census does not automatically entitle someone to receive aid or a specific programme. Every government programme has different objectives, targets, and mechanisms. However, on the other hand, various policies and programmes will be far more difficult to design properly if they are not supported by adequate data. This is where the importance of the Economic Census lies. Every day, millions of Indonesians carry out economic activities in various forms. Some manage food stalls, workshops, home-based food businesses, small shops, repair services, digital-based businesses, and various other independent jobs. “Most may never appear in the news or major economic reports, but it is precisely from these activities that millions of families earn an income and drive the regional economy. The problem is, something that is not visible will be difficult to account for,” it stated. If a business group is not recorded, the needs and challenges they face will be harder to identify. If these needs are not read, the policies formulated risk not addressing the actual conditions occurring on the ground. Therefore, the census is essentially an effort to ensure that the public’s economic activities are truly visible in the development planning process. Census data helps provide a picture of the types of businesses developing, the distribution of economic activities, the characteristics of business actors, and the potential of each region. “This information becomes an important input for the government, the business world, academics, and other stakeholders in understanding economic conditions more comprehensively,” it said. Good data also helps development to be carried out in a more targeted manner. When the economic activity of a region can be clearly mapped, the needs for infrastructure, human resource development, business support, and improved connectivity will be easier to understand. Thus, development decisions are not only based on estimates, but on actual conditions. The 2026 Economic Census is becoming increasingly important because the way people do business continues to change. Digital-based businesses are growing rapidly. Online transactions are increasingly common. Many young people are building businesses through digital platforms and social media. At the same time, various traditional businesses remain the main source of livelihood for millions of Indonesian families. All these changes need to be reflected in the data so that the portrait of the Indonesian economy remains relevant to the times. Ultimately, the quality of policy depends heavily on the quality of the data that forms its basis. If data is incomplete, part of the community risks being invisible in the planning process. If data is inaccurate, actual needs may be misread. Therefore, when an Economic Census 2026 officer visits, welcome them and provide information according to the actual conditions. “Every piece of data given is not merely a questionnaire entry. That data is the way to ensure that the businesses, jobs, and economic activities of the public do not disappear from the development map,” it concluded.