The working population in South Tapanuli Regency is 161,770 and the unemployment rate is 3.49%.

The number of workers in South Tapanuli Regency has increased over the past three years. Historically, in 2021 there were 140,440 workers, increasing to 142,900 in 2022, and reaching 161,770 in 2023.

This data on the working population is derived from the annual Sakernas survey conducted by the Central Statistics Agency (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 South Tapanuli Regency reached 3.49% in 2023. This figure decreased by 0.16% compared to December 2022, which was recorded at 3.65%, and decreased by 0.51% compared to December 2021.

The decrease in the open unemployment rate (TPT) is reflected in the number of working people and the labor force figures published by BPS this year. The labor force in South Tapanuli Regency has shown a downward trend over the past 16 years. However, in the four years following the COVID-19 pandemic, the labor force has shown an upward trend. In 2021, the labor force was recorded at 146,290 workers, increasing to 167,620 workers in 2023.

Compared to other regencies/cities, the open unemployment rate (TPT) in this regency/city ranks 308th nationally. The national average open unemployment rate (TPT) in 2023 was 4.3%.

The decrease in the open unemployment rate (TPT) in South Tapanuli Regency is not directly related to the economic growth in this region, which also continued to increase in 2023. The economy in this region in 2023 was recorded at 5.11 percent, compared to 4.78 percent in 2022.

Population Data in South Tapanuli Regency:

The population of South Tapanuli Regency was recorded at 322,380 people in 2024. This figure increased compared to 2023 and is higher than in December 2021. Compared to five years earlier, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of this region is recorded as higher. The growth over the last five years was recorded at 2.84%.

Compared to other regencies/cities in North Sumatra Province, the population of South Tapanuli Regency ranks 17th, while nationally it ranks 72nd.

In 2024, the majority of the population of South Tapanuli Regency was in the productive age group (15-59 years), totaling 202,210 or 62.72% of the total population. Children (0-14 years) and the elderly (over 60 years) accounted for 26.99% and 10.29%, respectively.

The following is the population by age in South Tapanuli Regency in June 2024, sourced from BPS publications:

* Age 0-4 years: 19,780 people (6.14%)
* Age 5-9 years: 32,470 people (10.07%)
* Age 10-14 years: 34,740 people (10.78%)
* Age 15-19 years: 30,120 people (9.34%)
* Age 20-24 years: 29,810 people (9.25%)
* Age 25-29 years: 26,670 people (8.27%)
* Age 30-34 years: 23,720 people (7.36%)
* Age 35-39 years: 23,450 people (7.28%)
* Age 40-44 years: 21,290 people (6.6%)
* Age 45-49 years: 17,640 people (5.47%)
* Age 50-54 years: 15,580 people (4.83%)
* Age 55-59 years: 13,930 people (4.32%)
* Age 60-64 years: 12,310 people (3.82%)
* Age 65-69 years: 9,280 people (2.88%)
* Age 70-74 years: 5,730 people (1.78%)
* Age 75 years and over: 5,860 people (1.82%)