Jokowi: Lowering The Number Of Middle Class Problems Almost All Countries

Screenshot - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) when delivering a statement at the Jakarta Presidential Palace complex, Wednesday (28/8/2024). (ANTARA/HO-BPMI Setpres)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that the decline in the number of middle-class economies in Indonesia that occurred in the 2019 to 2024 period also hit many countries around the world.

"That's a problem that has occurred in almost all countries, because the global economy has all dropped," said President Jokowi after inaugurating the Health Respiratory building of the Friendship Hospital in East Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Friday, August 30.

The Head of State stated that this phenomenon is a challenge in many countries which is influenced by the decline in the global economy and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which has lasted for the last 2-3 years.

The President said the crisis had created various economic difficulties in many countries.

"All countries are currently at the same difficulty," he said.

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that in 2019 the middle class in Indonesia reached 57.33 million, this number decreased in the last five years to 47.85 million in 2024, or decreased by 9.48 million people.

The decline in the number of people in the middle economy class occurred due to a decline in the performance of the manufacturing sector in the country.

Reporting from a press statement from the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK), the Indonesian government is committed to overcoming welfare problems with various strategic policies.

These efforts include strengthening the MSME sector, increasing investment in education and health, and economic reforms to create wider opportunities for the community.

With these steps, the government hopes to stimulate inclusive economic growth.