These are the 10 Provinces with the Highest Rates of Exclusive Breastfeeding Nationwide in 2021

A report from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding (ASI) or under 6 months reached 71.58% in 2021. This figure increased by 1.96 points compared to 2020, which was 69.62%.

Based on the province, the highest national coverage of exclusive breastfeeding was in West Nusa Tenggara in 2021. The percentage was 81.46%.

East Nusa Tenggara ranked second with the highest national percentage of exclusive breastfeeding reaching 81.18%. Next, North Kalimantan ranked third with an exclusive breastfeeding percentage of 81%.

Central Java and Yogyakarta Special Region ranked fourth and fifth. The percentage of exclusive breastfeeding in Central Java was 78.93% and in Yogyakarta Special Region 77%.

Here is a list of the 10 provinces with the highest national exclusive breastfeeding rates:

1. West Nusa Tenggara: 81.46%
2. East Nusa Tenggara: 81.18%
3. North Kalimantan: 81%
4. Central Java: 78.93%
5. Yogyakarta Special Region: 77%
6. West Java: 76.46%
7. South Sulawesi: 76.43%
8. East Kalimantan: 75.87%
9. Lampung: 74.93%
10. West Sulawesi: 74.75%

Meanwhile, Gorontalo had the lowest national percentage of exclusive breastfeeding in 2021. The percentage was only 52.75%.

Every first week of August is commemorated as "World Breastfeeding Week". This aims to raise awareness among all parties about the importance of breastfeeding for babies.

Because breastfeeding is one of the best investments to improve the health, social, and economic status of individuals. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers need support from all parties.

According to a report from the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), optimal breastfeeding can prevent more than 823,000 child deaths & 20,000 maternal deaths every year. "Not breastfeeding can affect lower intelligence levels, resulting in economic losses of around $302 billion per year," as quoted from the @kemenkes_ri Instagram page, Monday (1/7/2022).