February 2023: Unemployment rate was 5.45 percent and Average labour wage was 2.94 milion rupiahs per month

A. Labour Situation

• According to the result of The National Labour Force Survey (Sakernas), the total labour force in February 2023 was 146.62 million people, representing an increase of 2.61 million compared to February 2022. Similarly, the labour force participation rate also increased during the same period by 0.24 percentage points, from 69.06 percent to 69.30 percent.
• Compared to February 2022, the number of employed people in February 2023 rose by 3.02 million people, to 138.63 million people. With regard to the type of industry, Accommodation and Food Service and Other Services Activities experienced the highest increase in employment (0.51 million people, respectively).
• As many as 83.34 million people (60.12 percent) were absorbed in the informal activities, representing an increase of 0.15 percentage points compared to February 2022.
• Both underemployment and voluntary part-time employment rates were recorded at a lower level in February 2023 compared to February 2022, or decreased by 0.95 percentage points and 0.33 percentage points, respectively.
• The number of commuter workers in February 2023 was accounted for 7.18 million people, representing an increase of approximately 0.11 million people compared to February 2022.
• The unemployment rate in February 2023 stood at 5.45 percent, a decreased by 0.38 percentage points from February 2022.
• Approximately 3.60 million people or 1.70 percent of the working-age population were affected by COVID-19, in which 0.20 million people were unemployed, 0.26 million people had exited from the labour force, 0.07 million people were temporarily absent from work, and 3.07 million people experienced a reduction in their working hours.

B. Average Wages of Employees

• The average monthly wages of employees in February 2023 were 2.94 million rupiahs.
• The average wages of employees from February 2022 to February 2023 increased by 1.80 percent from 2.89 to 2.94 million rupiahs.
• The average monthly wages of male employees were 3.23 million rupiahs, and female employees earned 2.42 million rupiahs.
• The top average monthly wages were 4.82 million rupiahs received by employees in Real Estate category. Meanwhile, the lowest wages earner were in the Other Services category at 1.79 million rupiahs.
• There was 11 out of 17 main industry categories where the average of monthly wage were higher than the national average wage.
• The average monthly wages of employees who graduated from university were 4.46 million rupiahs, elsewhere those who only graduated elementary school or less got 1.90 million rupiahs.
• Based on the age group of employees, aged 50–54 years earned the highest average monthly wages of employees as much as 3.66 million rupiahs. The lowest monthly wages as of 1.76 million rupiahs received by employees aged 15–19 years.