Jakarta. Indonesia’s commitment to keeping its budget deficit below the statutory 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) is coming under increasing strain, as a sharp rise in global oil prices threatens to widen fiscal pressures and test market confidence.

The 2026 state budget was drafted on an assumption of $70 per barrel for crude oil. But Brent crude hovered near $100 on March 26, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in Iran, creating a significant gap between assumptions and reality.

Under Law No. 17/2003 on State Finance, Indonesia caps its fiscal deficit at 3% of GDP, a cornerstone of its macroeconomic discipline. The 2025 deficit stood at Rp 695.1 trillion ($41.1 billion), or 2.92% of GDP — already close to the legal ceiling.

For 2026, the government is targeting a narrower deficit of 2.68%, signaling continued fiscal consolidation. However, early-year data suggest a cautious approach: state spending reached Rp 493.8 trillion ($29.2 billion) as of Feb. 28, reflecting restrained disbursement despite solid year-on-year growth.

At the same time, fiscal space is constrained by major policy commitments, including the free nutritious meals (MBG) program, which has been allocated Rp 335 trillion ($19.8 billion) for 2026.

Austerity Measures Return
To contain spending, the government has revived austerity measures first introduced in early 2025. These include restrictions on non-essential official travel and meetings, as well as broader cuts to operational expenditures. Officials have also floated the possibility of reducing ministers’ salaries.

Efficiency measures across ministries and agencies are expected to generate savings of around Rp 80 trillion.

Additional savings of Rp 40 trillion are projected from scaling back the free meals program from six days to five per week, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said.

“Eliminating Saturday distribution of free meals delivers significant savings — roughly Rp 40 trillion,” Purbaya said.

Another proposed measure is to implement a weekly work-from-home (WFH) day for both public and private sector employees to reduce fuel consumption. The policy reflects Indonesia’s continued reliance on imported oil and the fiscal burden of energy subsidies, which are budgeted at Rp 210 trillion this year for gasoline, diesel, and cooking gas.

At oil prices of $100 per barrel, subsidy costs could potentially double.

Purbaya noted that the average global crude price so far this year remains around $74 per barrel, still close to the budget assumption.

“A $4 increase can be easily absorbed,” he said, while criticizing overly pessimistic economic forecasts. “If oil reaches $200 per barrel, then the entire global economy  — not just Indonesia — would face a recession.”

Analysts Question Effectiveness
Economists warn that the government’s current approach may not be sufficient to achieve meaningful fiscal consolidation.

Teuku Riefky, an economist at the University of Indonesia’s Institute for Economic and Social Research (LPEM), said the measures focus too heavily on marginal savings.

“These policies are not effective. Large-budget programs such as free meals and village cooperatives have not been reprioritized, even though they offer the biggest fiscal buffer,” he said.

Energy analyst Fahmy Radhi of Gadjah Mada University cautioned that a weekly WFH policy could have unintended economic consequences, particularly for the informal sector.

“WFH could reduce income in transportation services, including ride-hailing drivers, as well as small businesses such as food stalls that depend on commuter activity,” Fahmy said.

He also warned that productivity could be affected, especially in manufacturing sectors where remote work is not feasible.

What If the Deficit Exceeds 3%?
Breaching the 3% deficit ceiling would not only challenge Indonesia’s legal fiscal framework but could also undermine investor confidence, particularly in an environment of tightening global liquidity.

A widening deficit could trigger negative market reactions, including capital outflows and pressure on the rupiah, as investors reassess Indonesia’s debt sustainability.

Riefky stressed that the significance of the cap lies in credibility rather than the threshold itself.

“If the limit is breached, it signals that the government is unable to manage its finances prudently,” he said.