The working population in Pekalongan City is 171,520, and the unemployment rate is 5.02%.

The number of workers in Pekalongan City has shown an upward trend over the past 14 years. A different situation emerged in the four years following the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the number of workers continued its upward trend. In 2021, the number of workers was recorded at 168,720; this increased by 10,052 from the previous year, reaching 171,520 in 2023.

This data on the working population is derived from the annual Sakernas survey conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS). The definition of a working person in the Sakernas survey methodology is as follows: A working person is defined as someone aged 15 years and older who has worked for at least one hour in the last week with the intention of earning or helping to earn income or profit. This one hour of work must be consecutive and uninterrupted.

Meanwhile, BPS released data showing that the open unemployment rate (TPT) in Pekalongan City reached 5.02% in 2023. This figure increased by 0.04% compared to December 2022, which recorded 4.98%. However, compared to December 2021, it decreased by 1.87%.

The increase in the open unemployment rate (TPT) is related to the data on the number of workers in this region. The number of workers in Pekalongan City has increased over the past three years. Historically, in 2021, it was recorded at 181,210; in 2022, it decreased to 169,940; and in 2023, it was recorded at 180,590.

Compared to other regencies/cities, the open unemployment rate (TPT) in this regency/city ranks 169th nationally. The national average open unemployment rate (TPT) in 2023 was 4.3%.

The increase in the open unemployment rate (TPT) in Pekalongan City is not directly related to a slump in economic growth in 2023. The economy in this region in 2023 recorded a growth of 5.44 percent. Previously, in 2022, economic growth in this regency/city was recorded at 5.76 percent.

Population Data in Pekalongan City:

The population of Pekalongan City was recorded at 318,180 as of 2024. This figure has steadily increased over the past 23 years. Over the past five years, the average annual growth rate (CAGR) of the population in this region has been 0.71%. This growth is lower than the growth in the previous five years, which was recorded at 0.72%.

In nominal terms, compared to other areas in Central Java Province, this regency/city ranks 32nd, while in terms of island ranking, it is 107th.

The population of Pekalongan City by age group shows that the productive age group is recorded at 211,790 or 66.56%; children number 71,876 or 22.59%; and the remaining 10.85%, or 34,515, are the elderly population.

The following is the population by age group in Pekalongan City in June 2024, sourced from BPS publications:

* Age 0-4 years: 19,570 (6.15%)
* Age 5-9 years: 25,660 (8.06%)
* Age 10-14 years: 26,640 (8.37%)
* Age 15-19 years: 25,130 (7.9%)
* Age 20-24 years: 25,560 (8.03%)
* Age 25-29 years: 24,930 (7.84%)
* Age 30-34 years: 24,510 (7.7%)
* Age 35-39 years: 24,380 (7.66%)
* Age 40-44 years: 26,270 (8.26%)
* Age 45-49 years: 23,580 (7.41%)
* Age 50-54 years: 19,580 (6.15%)
* Age 55-59 years: 17,860 (5.61%)
* Age 60-64 years: 14,000 (4.4%)
* Age 65-69 years: 10,080 (3.17%)
* Age 70-74 years: 5,900 (1.85%)
* Age 75 years and older: 4,540 (1.43%)