Potential New Capital City: What is the Stunting Rate Among Toddlers in the East Kalimantan Region?

The Indonesian government plans to relocate the capital city from DKI Jakarta to two regencies in East Kalimantan: North Penajam Paser Regency and Kutai Kartanegara Regency. Infrastructure development for the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) is currently underway, with the government aiming for the capital relocation to take place in 2024.

In addition to building the new capital city, the government is also focusing on reducing the number of stunted children (stunting) in Indonesia. President Joko Widodo aims to reduce the stunting rate from 21.6% in 2022 to 14% by 2024.

“I remind you again about stunting, to continue to emphasize to the regents and mayors to check thoroughly, especially those that are still high, and monitor that there is a decrease every year," said Jokowi at the opening of the 2023 APPSI National Working Meeting, as quoted by CNBC Indonesia on Thursday (23/2/2023).

So, what is the trend of stunting among children in East Kalimantan? Do the new capital city and its surrounding areas already have a sufficiently low stunting prevalence?

According to the Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI) from the Ministry of Health, the prevalence of stunting in East Kalimantan reached 23.9% in 2022. The province ranked 16th highest nationally.

The prevalence of stunting in the new capital city is still considered high, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Here are the WHO categories for stunting prevalence:

* <2.5%: Very low
* 2.5% to <10%: Low
* 10% to <20%: Moderate
* 20% to <30%: High
* >30%: Very high

The prevalence of stunting in East Kalimantan in 2022 increased by 1.1 percentage points from the previous year. In 2021, the prevalence was 22.8%.

Specifically, in 2022, four regencies/cities had a stunting prevalence above the provincial average. The remaining six regencies had a stunting prevalence below the East Kalimantan average.

Kutai Kartanegara Regency had the highest prevalence of stunting in East Kalimantan in 2022, at 27.1%. Samarinda City was second, with 25.3%.

On the other hand, North Penajam Paser Regency had a stunting prevalence of 21.8%, ranking 6th in East Kalimantan. Mahakam Hulu Regency had the lowest prevalence, at 14.8%.

Here is the prevalence of stunting in East Kalimantan by regency/city in 2022:

1. Kutai Kartanegara Regency: 27.1%
2. Samarinda City: 25.3%
3. Paser Regency: 24.9%
4. East Kutai Regency: 24.7%
5. West Kutai Regency: 23.1%
6. North Penajam Paser Regency: 21.8%
7. Berau Regency: 21.6%
8. Bontang City: 21%
9. Balikpapan City: 19.6%
10. Mahakam Hulu Regency: 14.8%