The Percentage of Infants Receiving Exclusive Breastfeeding in Indonesia Increased Again in 2023

A report from Indonesia's Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that the percentage of infants under six months old receiving exclusive breastfeeding (ASI) reached 73.97% in 2023. This percentage has increased for five consecutive years.

The national percentage of exclusively breastfed infants in 2023 increased by 2.68% compared to the previous year (72.04%).

The upward trend in exclusive breastfeeding has been observed since 2019. Exclusive breastfeeding surged by 22.33 percentage points, a 50.34% increase, from 44.36% in 2018 to 66.69% in 2019. This was the highest percentage increase in the last eight years.

Over the past eight years, the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia reached its highest point in 2023, while the lowest percentage was recorded in 2018. This is illustrated in the graph above.

By province, the highest rate of exclusive breastfeeding in 2023 was in West Nusa Tenggara, reaching 82.45%. This was followed by Central Java and West Java with percentages of 80.2% and 80.08%, respectively.

Gorontalo had the lowest rate of exclusive breastfeeding nationally in 2023, at only 55.11%. This was followed by Papua and Central Kalimantan with percentages of 55.41% and 55.78%, respectively.

Director General of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, dr. Maria Endang Sumiwi, stated that infants who do not receive exclusive breastfeeding are more likely to experience malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency, are at increased risk of allergies and lactose intolerance, and have a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

According to Maria, support is needed for working mothers to continue breastfeeding until their babies complete six months of exclusive breastfeeding. "We desperately need support from all parties so that mothers can continue to provide exclusive breastfeeding," said Maria, as quoted from the Ministry of Health website on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.