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mid the country'€™s high fertility rate, the trend appears to have been curbed in Jakarta as a result of accessible family planning (KB) services, says a National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) official.

BKKBN family welfare and empowerment deputy Sudibyo Alimoeso said on Friday that the fertility rate in Jakarta was close to the government'€™s targeted level of 2.1 per 1,000 women, meaning that every fertile couple in the city has two to three children.

'€œThe fertility rate in Jakarta is closer to the target as couples in the city use contraception effectively. It is because KB services in Jakarta are accessible,'€ he said before a gathering with BKKBN members from all provinces in the country in South Tangerang, Banten, as part of the postponed celebration of National Family Day, which falls every June 29.

President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo attended Saturday'€™s event.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Family Planning, Women'€™s and Community Agency (BPMPKB) head Dien Emmawati said the fertility rate in Jakarta was 2.3 in 2014, lower than the country'€™s average rate of 2.6 that year.

The rate, however, has to be lowered to 2.0, which is considered the ideal fertility rate, said Dien.

'€œWe have to seriously handle that as KB should no longer be underestimated. It needs a lot of work involving the community, public figures and relevant parties like doctors and midwives,'€ she said, adding that the fertility rate in the Thousand Islands was still high at about 4 because of a lack of KB services in the regency.

Between 2010 and 2014, population growth in Jakarta increased 1.43 percent from 9.5 million to 10.2 million people, according to Dien, along with an increased fertility rate of 2.3 from 2.1.

In the same period, 13.2 percent of the capital'€™s 1.3 million child-bearing age residents were not using contraceptions, a significant increase from the previous 6.9 percent.

Nevertheless, the BPMPKB has set measures in a bid to curb the rate, Dien added. She explained that her office would provide KB service cars in a number of urban spots, such as at low-cost apartments, slum areas, traditional markets and railroad slums.

'€œThus, we can reach members of the low-middle class society and provide them with KB information or facilities,'€ Dien said, adding that a two-child family was ideal to ensure a family'€™s welfare.

In fact, awareness about contraception among low-middle class society is increasing, according a BKKBN member from West Jakarta, Adelia.

Adelia said that many blue-collar workers in her area had asked for contraceptions. However, they find it difficult to leave their jobs on a weekday to see BPMPKB workers, who do not work on weekends. (agn)