Yogyakarta Experiences the Worst Economic Inequality in March 2024

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that Indonesia's income inequality, measured by the Gini ratio, reached 0.379 points in March 2024. This figure is down from 0.388 points in March 2023.

Based on provinces, Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) experienced the worst inequality in Indonesia with a ratio of 0.435 in March 2024—exceeding the national average. The breakdown shows a rural ratio of 0.349 points and an urban ratio of 0.440 points.

Yogyakarta even maintained its position as having the highest national economic inequality for the two previous calculation periods: 0.449 points in March 2023 and 0.459 points in September 2022 for both rural and urban areas.

The province with the second-highest income inequality was DKI Jakarta, at 0.423 points in March 2024. Jakarta also experienced relatively high inequality previously, with 0.431 points in March 2023 and 0.412 points in September 2022.

West Java followed in third place with an inequality ratio of 0.421 points. The breakdown shows an urban ratio of 0.434 and a rural ratio of 0.325 points.

West Java also recorded a relatively high Gini ratio in the previous period: 0.425 in March 2023 and 0.412 in September 2022 for both rural and urban areas.

Outside the top three provinces, high inequality was also observed in Gorontalo (0.414 points); South Papua (0.404); West Papua (0.389); Central Papua (0.381); East Java (0.372); Southeast Sulawesi (0.370); and Central Java (0.367).

Meanwhile, the provinces with the lowest Gini ratios were Bangka Belitung Islands (0.244 points); North Kalimantan (0.264); and Maluku (0.282).

The Gini ratio or Gini coefficient is measured on a scale of 0 to 1 points. According to the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) website, a Gini ratio of 0 points indicates perfect equality, meaning all residents have the same per capita expenditure.

A Gini coefficient of 1 point indicates perfect inequality, meaning only one resident has per capita expenditure, and the others have none.

"Therefore, the higher the Gini coefficient, the higher the level of inequality in a region," wrote Bappenas on its official website.

The following is a complete list of the accumulated urban and rural Gini ratios for Indonesian provinces in March 2024:

* Aceh 0.294 points
* North Sumatra 0.297 points
* West Sumatra 0.283 points
* Riau 0.307 points
* Jambi 0.321 points
* South Sumatra 0.333 points
* Bengkulu 0.342 points
* Lampung 0.302 points
* Bangka Belitung Islands 0.244 points
* Riau Islands 0.349 points
* DKI Jakarta 0.423 points
* West Java 0.421 points
* Central Java 0.367 points
* Yogyakarta Special Region 0.435 points
* East Java 0.372 points
* Banten 0.353 points
* Bali 0.361 points
* West Nusa Tenggara 0.361 points
* East Nusa Tenggara 0.316 points
* West Kalimantan 0.310 points
* Central Kalimantan 0.301 points
* South Kalimantan 0.302 points
* East Kalimantan 0.321 points
* North Kalimantan 0.264 points
* North Sulawesi 0.360 points
* Central Sulawesi 0.301 points
* South Sulawesi 0.363 points
* Southeast Sulawesi 0.370 points
* Gorontalo 0.414 points
* West Sulawesi 0.354 points
* Maluku 0.282 points
* North Maluku 0.316 points
* West Papua 0.389 points
* Southwest Papua 0.346 points
* Papua 0.362 points
* South Papua 0.404 points
* Central Papua 0.381 points
* Highland Papua 0.340 points
* Indonesia Average 0.379 points.

(See also: BPS: Indonesia's Economic Inequality Decreased in March 2024)