The working population in Kendari City is 169,450, and the unemployment rate is 5.18%.

The number of workers in Kendari City has shown an upward trend over the past 14 years. In 2021, there were 188,340 workers, but this number decreased to 169,450 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: Individuals aged 15 years and older who 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 reported that the open unemployment rate (TPT) in Kendari City reached 5.18% in 2023. This figure decreased by 0.05% compared to December 2022 (5.23%) and by 0.01% compared to December 2021.

The decrease in the open unemployment rate (TPT) is reflected in the number of employed people and the labor force figures published by BPS this year. The labor force in Kendari City has shown an upward trend over the past 16 years. In 2021, the labor force totaled 198,650, decreasing by 25,960 to 178,700 in 2023.

Compared to other regencies/cities, Kendari's open unemployment rate (TPT) ranks 155th nationally. The national average open unemployment rate (TPT) in 2023 was 4.3%.

The decrease in the open unemployment rate (TPT) in Kendari City is linked to the slump in economic growth in 2023. The economy in this region recorded a growth of 3.29 percent in 2023, down from 4.94 percent in 2022.

Population Data in Kendari City:

The population of Kendari City was recorded at 355,670 in 2024, showing an increase. Compared to the previous five years, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of this region is lower, recording a -1.97% growth over the last five years.

Compared to other regencies/cities in Southeast Sulawesi province, Kendari City has the highest population; nationally, it ranks 17th among islands.

The majority of the population (64.91%) is of working age (15-59 years), totaling 230,860 according to a 2024 BPS publication. The remaining population consists of children aged 0-14 years (27.68%) and the elderly aged 60 and above (7.41%).

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

* Age 0-4 years: 26,840 (7.55%)
* Age 5-9 years: 36,620 (10.3%)
* Age 10-14 years: 34,980 (9.83%)
* Age 15-19 years: 26,390 (7.42%)
* Age 20-24 years: 30,770 (8.65%)
* Age 25-29 years: 29,880 (8.4%)
* Age 30-34 years: 29,660 (8.34%)
* Age 35-39 years: 29,630 (8.33%)
* Age 40-44 years: 27,370 (7.69%)
* Age 45-49 years: 22,650 (6.37%)
* Age 50-54 years: 19,160 (5.39%)
* Age 55-59 years: 15,360 (4.32%)
* Age 60-64 years: 10,770 (3.03%)
* Age 65-69 years: 7,140 (2.01%)
* Age 70-74 years: 4,210 (1.18%)
* Age 75 years and older: 4,240 (1.19%)