Indonesia's Population Reaches 278 Million by Mid-2023

Indonesia continues to record annual population growth. According to the latest data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Indonesia's population has reached 278.69 million as of mid-2023.

This figure is up 1.05% year-on-year (YoY). In mid-2022, Indonesia's population was 275.77 million.

The trend shows a continuous increase in Indonesia's population from mid-2015 to 2023, as seen in the graph above.

Compared to seven years ago, Indonesia's population in mid-2023 increased by approximately 9.04%. In mid-2015, the population was 255.58 million.

The data used by BPS is derived from population censuses and projections. For years without a census, population data is obtained from population projections.

From 2015-2019, the data used was the 2015-2045 Indonesian population projection. In 2020, the data used was from the 2020 Population Census (SP2020).

Then, from 2021-2022, the data used was the interim population projection 2020-2023. This interim projection used the basic population data from the refined age data of the population administration and SP2020.

Previously, the Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, Suharso Monoarfa, stated that Indonesia's population will age by 2045. Based on the 2020-2050 Indonesian population projection, the proportion of Indonesians aged over 65 will increase in 2045 compared to 2020.

"The population aged 65 and over will increase from 6.16% to 14.61% in 2045," said Suharso, as quoted by Kompas.com on Tuesday (16/5/2023). Meanwhile, the proportion of the population aged 0-14 years will decrease from 24.56% in 2020 to 19.61% in 2045.

On the other hand, the proportion of the productive-age population (15-64 years) will also decrease from 69.28% to 65.79% during the same period.

According to Suharso, at least five policies need to be implemented by the government to anticipate future demographic changes. First, the government needs to achieve balanced population growth.

Second, the government must ensure the quality of human resources. Third, the government needs to support the increasing elderly population in the future.

Fourth, the government should encourage population migration to achieve a more even population distribution. Finally, the government needs to maintain a balance between rural and urban development," said Suharso.