Unemployment rates fall, East Java Provincial Government receives Rp3 billion incentive

The East Java Provincial Government has achieved First Place in the category of reducing the Open Unemployment Rate (TPT) at the 2026 Regional Java-Bali Outstanding Local Government Appreciation, organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Yogyakarta. Alongside this award, the province has secured an incentive of Rp3 billion.

“Alhamdulillah, for the reduction in unemployment, East Java has received this appreciation. This is the result of the work of all lines and all elements, including the business and industrial worlds,” stated the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, in a statement received in Surabaya on Friday.

The award was presented directly by the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Djamari Chaniago, to Khofifah during an event held in Yogyakarta on Thursday night.

Khofifah noted that this achievement is the result of various sustainable development efforts implemented through the East Java Provincial Government’s priority programmes. These include strengthening the quality of Human Resources (HR), expanding job opportunities, increasing investment, and enhancing collaboration between the education and labour sectors.

Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in East Java has shown a consistent downward trend, falling from 5.17 per cent in February 2021 to 3.55 per cent in February 2026.

Khofifah added that a key factor contributing to the decline in unemployment is the strengthening link and match between vocational education and labour market needs, particularly for graduates of Vocational High Schools (SMK). Data from BPS (Statistics Indonesia) shows that the unemployment rate for SMK graduates decreased to 5.73 per cent in February 2026 from 5.87 per cent in February 2025. With this achievement, SMK graduates are no longer the highest contributing group to unemployment in East Java.

“We continue our efforts to create job opportunities through collaboration with the business world, industry, and universities. Currently, East Java has established labour placement partnerships with 13 destination countries, including opening overseas job opportunities for SMK graduates,” she said.