Tito Admits Poverty Rates in Papua Far Exceed National Average: Not a Good Sign

Interior Minister Tito Karnavian has revealed that the average poverty rates in several areas of Papua province remain far above the national poverty level. According to Tito, this wide gap indicates a serious condition, as higher figures mean a larger proportion of the population is impoverished. “We see that the poverty rate across all of Papua is above the national level. This is not good, being above. Because the larger the number, the greater the percentage of the poor population,” Tito stated during a working meeting with Commission II of the House of Representatives on Monday (13/4). He noted that the national poverty percentage currently stands at 8.25 per cent. Meanwhile, several regions in Papua have average poverty rates above 20 per cent, although not all show a downward trend. For example, in Papua Pegunungan, the poverty percentage dropped from 32.97 per cent in 2024 to 27.21 per cent in 2025. However, some areas are stagnant, such as Papua Tengah with a poverty rate of 29.45 per cent. “Then in Central Papua, there is relatively little movement. 29.45 per cent are poor. So almost a third of the people in Central Papua fall into the poor category,” he said. A decline was also recorded in Southwest Papua, with a poverty percentage of 17.5 per cent. However, there are increases in some areas, including South Papua, which rose from 17.44 per cent in 2024 to 19.26 per cent. “With good positions and positive trends in Papua Pegunungan, West Papua declining, Southwest Papua declining. But flat, not much movement in Central Papua. Then tending to rise in South Papua. This needs attention,” he added.