This Province Had the Lowest Rate of Higher Education Participation Nationally in 2021

The Indonesian government still faces challenges in improving the gross participation rate (GPR) in higher education across Indonesia. The GPR in higher education remains low and has not yet met the national target of 34.56 percent.

According to BPS data, the GPR in higher education in Indonesia in 2021 was only 31.19 percent. This means that higher education access has not reached one-third of the population within the active age group (19-23 years).

By province, the proportion of the active-age population enrolled in higher education is lowest nationally in Bangka Belitung Islands Province. The higher education GPR in this province was only 15.23 percent. This is followed by Papua with a higher education GPR of 20.04 percent and Lampung at 22.64 percent.

The following is a list of provinces with the lowest Gross Participation Rate in Higher Education nationally:

1. Bangka Belitung Islands: 15.23 percent
2. Papua: 20.04 percent
3. Lampung: 22.64 percent
4. Central Java: 23.86 percent
5. North Kalimantan: 25.23 percent
6. West Java: 25.83 percent
7. West Kalimantan: 26.22 percent
8. South Sumatra: 26.32 percent
9. Central Kalimantan: 26.46 percent
10. Riau Islands: 27.59 percent

Fifteen provinces, or 44.12 percent, have a higher education GPR below the national average. This includes three large provinces on Java Island, which have relatively adequate higher education facilities compared to eastern Indonesia.

In East Java, only 29.96 percent of the 19-23 year-old population is enrolled in higher education, while in West Java it is 25.83 percent, and in Central Java 23.86 percent. The GPR in these three provinces is even lower than Banten, which reached 32.51 percent.

The low participation rate in higher education remains a challenge for the government in its efforts to create a superior and competitive human resource base.

(read: Gross Participation Rate (GPR) in Higher Education 2011-2021 by Province - Highest)