Central Java Governor for two terms, Ganjar Pranowo, concluded his term on Tuesday (September 5, 2023). In his farewell speech, he acknowledged that poverty alleviation efforts during his leadership had not yet reached their target.
"We realize that the poverty rate target has not yet been achieved, but the result is the highest decrease, and also the happiness index because happiness cannot be bought," Ganjar said in his farewell speech at the Jatidiri GOR, Semarang, on Tuesday (September 5, 2023).
Besides poverty, Central Java's unemployment rate also did not reach the expected target.
Based on the *Central Java Province Medium-Term Regional Development Plan 2018-2023*, the open unemployment rate (OUR) in Central Java was targeted to reach 4% in 2023.
However, according to records in the Bappenas Regional Data Management Information System, until February 2023, Central Java's unemployment rate was still 5.24%.
Percentage-wise, the unemployment rate decreased slightly compared to 10 years ago (5.53% in February 2013).
The unemployment percentage at the end of Ganjar's term also decreased significantly compared to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, the unemployment rate in Central Java had soared dramatically, as in many other provinces.
However, in terms of numbers, unemployment in Central Java tended to increase.
In February 2013, the number of unemployed in Central Java was around 941,000 people. Then in February 2023, the number increased to 1.1 million people.
From the beginning of the pandemic until February 2023, the number of unemployed in Central Java consistently exceeded 1 million people.
Thus, during Ganjar's two terms in office, the open unemployment rate (OUR) in Central Java decreased in percentage terms, but the number of unemployed increased, as shown in the graph.
Compared to neighboring regions, Central Java's unemployment percentage is relatively low.
In February 2023, other provinces on Java Island such as Banten, West Java, and DKI Jakarta had higher unemployment rates, ranging from 7.5% to 7.9%.