Jakarta. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that the number of people living in poverty in March 2024 fell to 25.22 million, a decrease of 680,000 (0.33 percent) compared to March 2023 and 1.14 million (0.54 percent) compared to September 2022.

"After rising during the pandemic, the poverty rate has been steadily declining since March 2021," Acting Principal Secretary of BPS Imam Machdi said during a press conference at the BPS office on Monday.

The poverty rate has reached its lowest point in the past decade, with a reduction of approximately 3.06 million people or about 2.22 percent over the last 10 years.

"The poverty rate in March 2024 at 9.03 percent is the lowest in the last 10 years," Imam said

In urban areas, the poverty rate dropped to 7.09 percent in March 2024 from 7.29 percent in March 2023. In rural areas, the poverty rate fell to 11.79 percent in March 2024 from 12.22 percent in March 2023.

The urban poor population decreased by 0.1 million, from 11.74 million in March 2023 to 11.64 million in March 2024. Similarly, the rural poor population declined by 0.58 million, from 14.16 million in March 2023 to 13.58 million in March 2024.

"Compared to pre-pandemic levels, rural poverty is now lower, while urban poverty remains higher than before the pandemic," said Imam.

The poverty line in March 2024 was recorded at Rp 582,932 ($35.66) per capita per month, with the food poverty line at Rp 433,906 and the non-food poverty line at Rp 149,026.

In March 2024, the average poor household in Indonesia had 4.78 members, making the average poverty line per household Rp 2,786,415 per month.

As many as 20 provinces had poverty rates above the national average in March 2024, while 18 were below.

"All provinces in Papua have poverty rates above the national average, while most provinces in Kalimantan are below it, except for North Kalimantan. The difference between the provinces with the highest and lowest poverty rates is 28.97 percent, between Papua Pegunungan and Bali," Imam said.

From March 2023 to March 2024, three provinces experienced an increase in poverty rates: West Sumatra, Central Kalimantan, and the Bangka Belitung Islands.

The government, through the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, remains optimistic about reducing extreme poverty in Indonesia. The government aims to bring the poverty rate below 1 percent by 2024. As of March 2023, Indonesia's extreme poverty rate stood at 1.12 percent.

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