2017 Unemployment Lowest Since the Crisis

National unemployment figures have shown a downward trend since 2006. The National Labor Force Survey (Sakernas) recorded by the Central Bureau of Statistics shows that the national open unemployment rate (TPT) in February 2017 was 5.33 percent. This figure is lower than that of February 2016, which was 5.5 percent, and August 2016, which was 5.61 percent. This unemployment rate is also the lowest since the Asian financial crisis in 1998.

In February 2017, the national workforce increased by 6.11 million people to 131.55 million compared to August 2016, and also increased by 3.88 million people compared to February 2016. Meanwhile, the employed population in February 2017 increased by 6.13 million people to 124.54 million from August 2016, and also increased by 3.89 million people compared to February 2016.

Before the crisis, in 1997 the unemployment rate was only 4.69 percent, then increased to 5.46 percent in 1998. Since then, unemployment continued to rise and reached its highest level in August 2005, at 11.24 percent. Note: Data from 2006-2009 uses the results of SUPAS 2005, and from 2010 onwards uses the results of the 2010-2035 population projection.