UNS — It is predicted that Indonesia will reach its peak of demography bonus in 2030, which demands full preparation from the government. The faculty member of the Geography Education Program Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Lintang Ronggowulan, S.Pd., M.Pd., stated that bonus demography refers to the condition in which productive population (15-64 years old) is larger than the non-productive population.
“According to the estimation from the Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Indonesia will have a productive age population of 64% of the total population in 2030,” Lintang stated on Thursday (3/3/2022).
Lintang added that the demography bonus could bring positive and negative impacts depending on the actions taken by the community and the government. She also emphasized that the demography bonus is a challenge that needs to be prepared well because it means job competition will become stricter. “The domination of productive age needs to be balanced with the availability of jobs. Limited job opportunities will lead to high unemployment. This is the root of the demography disaster,” Lintang added.
High unemployment will bring a long-lasting impact, an aging population and longer life expectancy among the elderly, as well as high poverty and increased criminal offenses. Therefore, appropriate planning should be prepared. “The role of university students is to continue improving their quality,” Lintang stated. University students with these criteria could build a creative community to solve and manage both social and individual issues in the community. “And enrich yourself with entrepreneurial knowledge to be prepared in facing the peak of demography bonus in 2030,” Lintang added.
Answering the challenges of demography bonuses could improve productivity and Indonesians’ welfare. Therefore, the government and the community need to work together, and work had to welcome the demography bonus in 2030. Humas UNS
Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti