7.3 Percent Of The Residents Of Lebak Banten Are Now Unemployed

Illustration of job seekers participating in the work exchange (ANTARA)

LEBAK - The unemployment rate in Lebak Regency, Banten, is a serious concern of the local government. Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Lebak Regency, the Open Unemployment Rate (TPT) in August 2025 was recorded at 7.30 percent of the total population of Lebak as many as 1,449,203 people (1.45 million people).

This figure is a significant increase compared to the previous year which was at 6.23 percent.

The Lebak Regency BPS Intermediate Statistician Yulian Sarwo Edi explained that the increase in the number of workforce was not balanced with the availability of adequate employment opportunities.

"TPT as of August 2025 is 7.3 percent. This figure shows an increase when compared to 2024," said Yulian Sarwo Edi to reporters in his office, Thursday, November 6.

He added, although the number of high school and college graduates increases every year, the absorption capacity of employment is still inadequate.

"Supply, the workforce continues to grow, while the availability of jobs does not increase that fast," he explained.

BPS data also noted that the group most affected by unemployment was a junior high school graduate, while men had a higher unemployment rate because they were more active in looking for work in the formal sector.

"Junior high school graduates and from among men the most dominating," he added.

To reduce unemployment, BPS recommends several strategic steps for local governments, namely creating a conducive investment climate, especially in the labor-intensive sector which is able to absorb a lot of labor.

Then, increasing the relationship between education and the industrial world, so that school graduates can be directly absorbed in the job.

"Encourage the entry of investments that have high labor absorption power and facilitate link and match between education and industry needs to be the focus," he concluded.