JAKARTA – Indonesia is currently in the era of a demographic bonus, a period where the number of people of productive age (1564 years) is greater than the non-productive population (children and the elderly). If managed properly, this can be a significant driver of economic growth.
However, so that this demographic bonus is truly a blessing and not a burden, there are several factors that need to be considered, especially in aspects of health, education, and economic resilience.
Chairman of the IBC Supervisory Board as well as businessman, Arsjad Rasjid emphasized the importance of human resources as the main key in utilizing this demographic bonus. In addition to poverty, food and energy security are also crucial issues that must be faced. The lifestyle of the community must be directed to support sustainable economic development, with a focus on health, education, and labor readiness.
This was revealed by Arsjad Rasjid at the 2025 Indonesia Economic Summit (IEC) press conference held by the Indonesia Business Council (IBC), an international scale economic forum to accelerate Indonesia’s economic development and growth.
“Regarding resources, this is important. Apart from poverty, talking about food security, independent food, talking about energy security and energy transition. This is very important, because we have demographic bonuses, this is rarely owned by the state,” said Arsjad Rasjid, when met on Jl. Karet Tengsin, Central Jakarta on Wednesday, February 12.
It is undeniable that health is the most basic aspect of human life. Without a healthy body, one cannot work optimally, children cannot learn well, and community productivity will decrease.
“We must be able to do this demographic bonus or management. Talking about health, education and employment. This is Prabowo’s step to free nutrition lunch,” said Arsjad Rasjid.
Therefore, programs such as free nutrition lunch initiated by Prabowo have a big goal of ensuring that since babies, Indonesian children get sufficient nutritional intake to grow optimally and avoid stunting.
In addition, good education will pave the way for the younger generation to get a better life. However, education is not just sitting in class and memorizing lessons, but must include skills that are relevant to the needs of the times.
One of the biggest challenges in managing demographic bonuses is creating enough jobs for the productive age population. If job opportunities are limited, then demographic bonuses can turn into demographic burdens, where many people of productive age are unemployed and become social problems.
“This is the goal starting from the baby. For pregnant women, they are not stunted, and the next high school elementary school must be healthy. Even if they are given education, but they are not healthy, they still cannot. From the health side, education to employment we discuss for our economy, so that investments come in. Now this is a discussion. do, “said Arsjad Rasjid
For this reason, it is important for the government and the private sector to work together in opening up new job opportunities. Foreign investment also plays an important role in creating jobs.
However, as Arsjad Rasjid said, trust is a major factor. If local entrepreneurs do not invest in their own country, how will foreign investors believe in investing in Indonesia? Therefore, building a healthy, transparent, and innovative business ecosystem must be a priority.
Indonesia Economic Summit (IEC) 2025 (Adelia/VOI)
“We want to build trust, trust because trust is important. Sellers are not only from Indonesia. How outside entrepreneurs will invest, if they are local, do not do it in Indonesia,” said Arsjad Rasjid.
All further discussions will be discussed at the IEC 2025 event at the Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta on February 18-19 which will invite national and international figures. IES 2025 is designed as a forum for business actors and policymakers to discuss concrete strategies in navigating global challenges such as investment, manufacturing, sustainable energy, talent, innovation, finance.
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