Open Unemployment Rate Among Vocational High School Graduates is Highest

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that the Open Unemployment Rate (OUR) for Vocational High School (SMK) graduates remains the highest, reaching 11.13% as of August 2021.

Meanwhile, the OUR for Senior High School (SMA) graduates was recorded at 9.09%, ranking second. This was followed by the OUR for Junior High School (SMP) graduates at 6.45%, University graduates at 5.98%, Diploma I/II/III graduates at 5.87%, and Elementary School (SD) graduates at 3.61%.

The OUR at each education level decreased, except for elementary school graduates, which remained stagnant compared to August 2020 (year-on-year). The OUR for elementary school graduates remained at 3.61% compared to August 2020. Vocational High School graduates recorded the largest decrease in OUR compared to other education levels. The OUR for SMK graduates decreased by 2.42%, from 13.55% to 11.13%.

Compared to February 2021, the OUR for elementary school to senior high school graduates increased. The largest increase in OUR was recorded in the junior high school category at 0.58%.

Conversely, the OUR for vocational high school, Diploma I/II/III, and university graduates decreased. The largest decrease in OUR was recorded in the university graduate category at 0.99% compared to February 2021.

Overall, Indonesia's OUR stood at 6.49% as of August 2021. This figure is down 0.58% from the August 2020 OUR. The OUR for men was recorded at 6.74%, higher than the OUR for women at 6.11%.