52 Percent of the Poor Population Have an Elementary/Junior High School Education

In 2015, approximately 52 percent of the impoverished population over 15 years old had only completed primary or lower secondary education. Furthermore, 31 percent had not completed primary school. Only 16.7 percent of the impoverished population had attained upper secondary education or higher. This low level of education resulted in a decline in human capital quality and a reduced ability to compete in the workforce.

The government's 12-year compulsory education program is a policy designed to improve Indonesia's education sector. This program is expected to serve as a tool for improving socio-economic quality and reducing poverty in various regions of Indonesia. With the 12-year compulsory education program, every Indonesian child can receive an education up to the upper secondary level and be better equipped to compete in the workforce.