Most Unemployed in Indonesia are Vocational High School Graduates

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reports that the majority of unemployment in Indonesia comes from Vocational High School (SMK) graduates. The unemployment rate among individuals whose highest level of education is SMK reached 11.13% in August 2021.

Most SMK graduates want to work immediately but are not absorbed into the workforce. This is due to the increasing number of SMK graduates not being matched by job opportunities.

Therefore, SMK students need additional training in soft skills such as leadership, communication, and creativity. Furthermore, SMK graduates are encouraged to have an entrepreneurial spirit so that they not only seek jobs but can also create new jobs in their environment.

Besides SMK graduates, the highest unemployment rate (TPT) comes from Senior High School (SMA) graduates at 9.09%. This is followed by Junior High School (SMP) graduates at 6.45%, university graduates at 5.98%, diploma graduates at 5.87%, and those with primary school education or lower at 3.61%.

The total number of unemployed nationwide was 9.1 million in August 2021. This figure represents 6.49% of the total national workforce, which reached 140.15 million people.

Note: Calculation using weights from the 2015 SUPAS population projection.