The Highest Unemployment Rate is Surprisingly Among Vocational High School Graduates

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the number of the workforce in August 2017 increased by 2.62 million people to 128.06 million compared to August 2016. Meanwhile, the number of employed workers increased by 2.61 million to 121.02 million. However, the number of unemployed increased by 10,000 to 7.04 million people, or 5.5 percent of the total workforce.

Based on the highest level of education completed, the Open Unemployment Rate (TPT) is highest among Vocational High School (SMK) graduates. In August 2017, unemployment among SMK graduates was 11.41 percent, up from August 2016. Second highest was among Senior High School (SMA) graduates with an unemployment rate of 8.29 percent, while third was among Diploma (I/II/III) graduates at 6.88 percent.

The high unemployment figures among SMK and SMA graduates indicate that the available jobs are not absorbed by these two education groups. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate among those with primary school (SD) education or less is low because they are willing to accept any job/are not selective about their work.