The Percentage of Infants with Birth Certificates Dropped to 77.04% in 2021

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that 77.04% of children aged 0-4 years old possessed a birth certificate in 2021. This percentage decreased by 0.16 points from 2020, which was 77.2%.

This figure also shows that 22.96% of children aged 0-4 years old did not have a birth certificate in 2021. The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) explained several factors contributing to this.

Firstly, Indonesia's geographical conditions make birth certificate services difficult to access for all citizens. Secondly, limited access to the internet. Thirdly, the location of birth certificate services is far from many communities.

KemenPPPA also mentioned cultural, social, and customary factors, as well as a lack of understanding among local communities, as obstacles to birth certificate ownership. Furthermore, difficulties related to marital status discourage people from processing birth certificates.

A birth certificate is an official document proving birth, issued by the civil registry office. Children without birth certificates risk difficulties accessing education, exploitation as child laborers, difficulties accessing social security, and identity manipulation. They are also potentially at risk of child marriage, child trafficking, and illegal adoption.