UNFPA: Indonesia Should Learn from Other Countries to Create Productive Elderly Population

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has stated that Indonesia needs to learn from countries with highly productive elderly populations, such as Japan, in order to capitalise on its demographic bonus. “Indonesia also needs to learn from super-aged population countries, especially regarding elderly care systems, pension schemes, the silver economy, and empowering the elderly to remain productive,” said UNFPA Indonesia Representative Hassan Mohtashami during a media briefing ahead of World Population Day in Jakarta on Wednesday. Mohtashami reminded the government not to focus solely on current trending issues, as it is more important to prepare policies whose impact will be felt by generations 20 to 30 years from now. To this end, the UNFPA is collaborating with the Indonesian government to support research and data analysis, examining the impact of demographic changes on various sectors including finance, pensions, social protection, and insurance. “Indonesia needs to learn from other countries, and vice versa. We continue to educate the government that demographic change is a natural phenomenon that must be prepared for through long-term policies,” he explained. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development Ratu Ayu Isyana Bagoes Oka noted that Indonesia is currently entering an ageing society era, with data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2025 showing that the percentage of the population aged 60 and above has reached 11.7 per cent. “The increase in the elderly population forms the basis for establishing the Lansia Berdaya (Empowered Elderly) programme as one of the ministry’s priority programmes, given that the number of elderly people is expected to continue rising alongside increasing life expectancy,” she said. With the total fertility rate (TFR) now at 2.13 and life expectancy increasing, the government is preparing various programmes to ensure the elderly remain productive and prosperous. “One of the main programmes is Lansia Berdaya, which focuses on improving the quality of life for the elderly. In addition, the ministry is also running Elderly Schools aimed at keeping seniors active, healthy, and happy, while providing them with knowledge and services according to their needs,” Isyana added.