Few Indonesians Left Their Housing Reserves Empty in 2022

Indonesian citizens are recorded as owning a house or other residential building in addition to their primary residence, with a proportion of 7.82% in 2022. These secondary houses are left in various conditions.

Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) shows that most people entrust their houses to family or relatives without charge, chosen by 40.96% of households. Based on regional classification, rural communities most frequently choose this option, with a proportion of 45.53%.

A significant number also leave their houses vacant, chosen by 26.54% of households. Rural communities also recorded a higher percentage of leaving their secondary houses vacant compared to urban respondents, with 31.55%.

Furthermore, some people rent out their secondary houses, chosen by 21.75% of households. For this option, urban communities dominate with a percentage of 26.54%.

BPS states that complete living facilities and a higher standard of living are incentives for newcomers or migrants to move to urban areas. This causes high demand for housing in urban areas.

With high demand, says BPS, the house rental business in urban areas becomes profitable. This is in line with the results of the 2021 Susenas Migrant Profile research.

"The opportunity for migrant households to occupy rented houses is four times higher than that of non-migrant households," said BPS in its 2022 Housing and Settlement Statistics report.

Furthermore, houses used as businesses by domestic helpers (ART) are chosen by 13.70% of households. Rural communities dominate this choice, at 12.66%.

BPS explains that the ownership of houses other than the currently occupied one is increasing along with the increasing level of education of the head of household (KRT).

"A similar pattern is also seen in the characteristics of the economic status and age group of the KRT," said BPS.

(See also: Rural Residents More Frequently Buy Houses in Cash in 2022, What About in Cities?)