Aging Population Issue Must Be Handled

Kompas/Riza Fathoni

Residents living on the banks of the Ciliwung River in the Bukit Duri area of Jakarta are being relocated to a number of low-cost apartments. Their homes along the river have started to be taken down.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Population-related policies must be outlined by taking into account the changes in the population structure of Indonesia, so as to maximize Indonesia’s demographic bonus (or demographic dividend), resulting from the larger population of working-age people compared to the youth and elderly populations. This will also be pertinent to fiscal planning for the future.

“The current demographic bonus in Indonesia –based on an earlier estimation– will last until 2030, perhaps longer. By 2045, we will face the problem of an aging population, like what is being experienced by western countries and Japan. The question is, will we let this take place naturally, or will we take a strategic approach?” said National Development Planning Minister/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) head Bambang PS Brodjonegoro during the “Dialog on Indonesia’s Demography Policy: The Future That We Want”, which was held Tuesday (11/7) to commemorate World Population Day in Jakarta.