Good News In Central Java, The Number Of Poor People Has Dropped 175 Thousand People

Ganjar Pranowo (Photo via Central Java Provincial Government)

SEMARANG - A number of poverty reduction programs from the Central Java Provincial Government have yielded results. The number of poor people fell to 175,740 people.

Central Java Statistics Agency (BPS) said that, in March 2021, the number of poor people in Central Java was 4.11 million people. But by September 2021, the number had dropped to 3.93 million people.

In percentage terms, poverty in Central Java in September is now at 11.25 percent. Down 0.54 percent compared to 11.79 percent in March 2021

"There is a decrease of 175,740 people," said Head of Central Java BPS Adhi Wiriana, in the release of the 2021 Central Java BPS Poverty and Inequality Expenditure Index on Monday, January 17.

If it is calculated from the period September 2020 to September 2021, the poverty reduction rate will be even greater. That is down from 4.12 million people to 3.93 million people. Or down 185,920 people.

BPS also noted that Central Java's economic growth rose 2.56 percent (year to year) during the third quarter of 2020 against the third quarter of 2021.

In addition to poverty, the open unemployment rate (TPT) also decreased from 6.48 percent in August 2020 to 5.95 percent in August 2021.

One of the factors in reducing poverty and unemployment, according to Adhi, is the various aid programs from the government.

"Social assistance from the central government and local governments is very helpful for the population during the pandemic, especially those in the lower classes," he said.

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said the Central Java Provincial Government would continue to boost poverty reduction. Especially in five areas that fall into the category of extreme poverty. Namely Banyumas, Banjarnegara, Kebumen, Pemalang and Brebes.

The cash social assistance program of IDR 300 thousand per month from the central government has been running well. The Central Java Provincial Government tries to increase it by sharing aid from the mutual cooperation budget.

"Our initiatives in the regions are from CSR and our Baznas also has a program for one OPD for one poor village," said Ganjar.

In addition, the Central Java Provincial Government also has several programs, such as the construction of healthy, habitable houses, free electricity connections, and latrines.

"The MSME Cooperative Service has MSME empowerment, Bank Jateng has special stall loans for women with low interest rates, BP3AKB has women's empowerment, we all mobilize it," he explained.