The working population in Medan City is 1.12 million, with an unemployment rate of 8.67%.

The number of workers in Medan City has increased over the last three years. Historically, in 2021 there were 999,100 workers, increasing to 1.03 million in 2022 and 1.12 million 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: 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, the open unemployment rate (TPT) in Medan City in December 2023 decreased by 0.22% to 8.67% compared to December 2022. Compared to December 2021, the open unemployment rate (TPT) also decreased from 10.81%.

The reduction in the open unemployment rate (TPT) this year can be seen from the condition of the number of the workforce and the number of working people. The number of the workforce in Medan City has increased over the last three years. Historically, in 2021 there were 1.12 million workers, increasing to 1.13 million in 2022 and 1.23 million in 2023.

Compared to other regencies/cities, the open unemployment rate (TPT) in this regency/city is ranked 20th nationally. The national average open unemployment rate (TPT) in 2023 was 4.3%.

The decrease in the open unemployment rate (TPT) in Medan City 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 5.04 percent. Previously, in 2022, economic growth in this regency/city was recorded at 4.71 percent.

Medan City Population Data:

The population of Medan City was recorded at 2.54 million people in 2024. This figure increased compared to 2023 and is higher than in December 2021. Over the past five years, the average annual growth rate (CAGR) of the population in this region has been 2.32%. This growth is higher than the growth in the previous five years, which was recorded at 1.14%.

In nominal terms, compared to other areas in North Sumatra Province, this regency/city has the highest population, both among other regencies/cities in this province and on Sumatra Island. When viewed by island, this regency/city ranks first.

In 2024, the majority of Medan City's population was in the productive age group (15-59 years), totaling 1.7 million or 66.86% of the total population. Children (0-14 years) and the elderly (over 60 years) accounted for 21.78% and 11.36%, respectively.

The following is the population by age in Medan City in June 2024, sourced from BPS publications:

* Age 0-4 years: 129,440 people (5.1%)
* Age 5-9 years: 202,000 people (7.95%)
* Age 10-14 years: 221,740 people (8.73%)
* Age 15-19 years: 220,540 people (8.68%)
* Age 20-24 years: 218,540 people (8.6%)
* Age 25-29 years: 204,660 people (8.06%)
* Age 30-34 years: 198,990 people (7.83%)
* Age 35-39 years: 194,110 people (7.64%)
* Age 40-44 years: 199,550 people (7.86%)
* Age 45-49 years: 171,490 people (6.75%)
* Age 50-54 years: 155,870 people (6.14%)
* Age 55-59 years: 134,460 people (5.29%)
* Age 60-64 years: 104,260 people (4.11%)
* Age 65-69 years: 78,990 people (3.11%)
* Age 70-74 years: 50,120 people (1.97%)
* Age 75 years and older: 55,070 people (2.17%)