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Poverty rate in Jakarta falls to 3.57 percent
The poverty rate in Jakarta has decreased slightly from 3.77 percent in March, 2017, to 3.57 percent as of March this year, the lowest level recorded in the past four years, the Jakarta Central Statistics Agency (BPS Jakarta) has said.
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A man stands in front of his house in a slum area under a highway in Teluk Gong, North Jakarta. (JP/Nea Maryami Ningtyas)
The poverty rate in Jakarta has decreased slightly from 3.77 percent in March, 2017, to 3.57 percent as of March this year, the lowest level recorded in the past four years, the Jakarta Central Statistics Agency (BPS Jakarta) has said.
The number of poor people in the capital was recorded at 373,120, making Jakarta the province with the lowest poverty rate in the country, the agency stated.
BPS Jakarta said low inflation and the decreasing unemployment rate had contributed to the decline in poverty in the city.
Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno said the city administration’s food subsidy program had helped decrease the poverty rate.
Subsidized food has been distributed to Jakarta Smart Card holders, Public Facility Maintenance Agency workers, low-cost apartment residents, the elderly, disabled people and residents whose salaries are below the provincial minimum wage (UMP).
“Further, the Jakarta administration will optimize and integrate various programs to reduce poverty. In addition, we will coordinate with the central government to optimize social aid for poor people who don’t have Jakarta ID cards,” Sandiaga said on Monday.
BPS Jakarta stated that the price of rice, cigarettes and chicken had significantly contributed to the poverty rate in the capital. The prices of major commodities such as housing, electricity and fuel, have also affected the poverty rate.
Meanwhile, BPS stated that the poverty rate in Indonesia had fallen to its lowest level ever recorded.
The poverty rate has remained in single digits since March, 2018, before which the rate had always been in the double digits, BPS head Suhariyanto said. (cal)
