Bali Achieves Lowest Poverty Rate in Indonesia
Denpasar, ANTARA – Bali has officially recorded the lowest poverty rate in Indonesia, according to Kadek Agus Wirawan, the Acting Head of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) Bali. During a press conference held on Sunday in Denpasar, Kadek Agus announced that only 3.8 percent of Bali’s population is classified as living in poverty as of September 2024. This figure places Bali at the forefront of Indonesia’s provinces in terms of poverty alleviation.
Kadek Agus highlighted that this achievement signifies a notable improvement from previous years. ‘In September 2019, we recorded a poverty rate of 3.61 percent, but we still face the challenge of extreme poverty, which was noted at 0.23 percent as of March 2024,’ he stated.
Positive Trends Amid Economic Recovery
Despite the backdrop of economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly affected Bali’s economy, the province has shown a consistent downward trend in poverty rates since 2023. With a national poverty rate of 8.57 percent in September 2024, Bali remains the province with the lowest poverty rate in the country. In contrast, the highest poverty rate is observed in Papua Pegunungan, which stands at 29.66 percent.
Kadek Agus pointed out that, compared to previous reports, Bali’s poverty rate has improved significantly, dropping from 4 percent in March 2024 to 3.8 percent in September 2024. Additionally, this reflects a decrease in the number of individuals living in poverty—a reduction of approximately 8,220 people, bringing the total number of impoverished individuals in Bali to 176,210.
Understanding the Poverty Line
The Central Bureau of Statistics of Bali has set the poverty line at Rp580,306 per capita per month as of September 2024. The most impactful food commodities contributing to this measure include rice, chicken meat, cigarettes, eggs, and traditional cakes. On the non-food side, substantial influences come from housing, gasoline, religious ceremonies, electricity, and education expenses.
This ongoing decline in poverty levels is encouraging as Bali continues to work on economic recovery and development strategies.
A Broader Context
Efforts to restore the economy have been a focal point for Bali, especially following the severe impacts of the health crisis on tourism and local livelihoods. The BPS Bali has also confirmed that the region’s economy has shown signs of recovery, as evidenced by its thriving tourism sector.
As Bali aims to maintain its status as a leader in poverty alleviation, local authorities remain committed to addressing the remaining challenges, particularly in tackling extreme poverty. Continued monitoring and management initiatives will be essential for sustaining this positive momentum in the coming years.
Report by: Ni Putu Putri Muliantari
Edited by: Junaydi Suswanto
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