Statistics Indonesia (BPS) has reported that the number of people categorised as poor in Indonesia has declined by 3.06 million, or around 2.22%, bringing the country’s poor population percentage into 9.03% in the last 10 years, acting chief secretary of the BPS Imam Machdi said on July 1.
Acting chief secretary of Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Imam Machdi, sharing consumer price index (IHK) data in Jakarta on July 1, 2024. (Photo: en.antaranews.com)
Jakarta (VNA) – Statistics Indonesia (BPS) has repo♈rted that the number of people categorised as poor in Indonesia has declined by 3.06 million, or around 2.22%, bringing the country’s poor population percentage into 9.03% in the last 10 years, acting chief secretary of the BPS Imam Machdi said on July 1.
The number of poor stood at 25.22 million in March 2024, a decline from 28.28 million in March 2014. On average, the number of poor fell by around 300,000 per year, with the rate of decline in rural areas being higher than in urban areas.
The poverty rate in rural areas was recorded at 11.79% in March 2024, 2.38 percentage points lower compared to the 14.17% in March 2014.
Meanwhile, the poverty rate in urban areas in March 2024 stood at 7.09%, 1.25 percentage points lower than 10 years before when the rate was recorded at 8.34%.
In the islands, the highest poverty rate in March 2024 was recorded in the Maluku and Papua islands, namely at 19.39 %. Meanwhile, the lowest poverty rate was seen in Kalimantan island at 5.44%.
The highest number of poor was recorded in Java island at 13.24 million, while the island with the lowest number of poor was Kalimantan at 0.94 million.
The people's poverty status was determined by the poverty line, that is the minimum level of income to meet food and non-food needs.
The poverty line in March 2024 stood at 582,932 IDR (around 35.67USD) per capita per month, an increase of 5.90% compared to March 2023.
For urban areas, the poverty line stood at 601,871 IDR (around 36.83 USD), higher than the poverty line in rural areas, namely 556,874 IDR (around 34.07 USD)./.
The Indonesian government aims to lift three million people out of extreme poverty by 2023, National Development Planning (PPN) Minister Suharso Monoarfa said.
Indonesian Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah has said reducing the financial burden on the unprivileged community and boosting people’s income have become a part of the Manpower Ministry's strategy for alleviating poverty.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
