Stories of Statistical Data for Indonesia – The Journey of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Improving Family Welfare and the Challenges of Post-Migration Reintegration

Cerita Data Statistik Untuk Indonesia (Statistical Data Stories for Indonesia) is a booklet containing articles known as CERDAS, which utilizes innovative data sources and official statistics to provide ideas related to socio-economic issues. In this edition, the Directorate of Statistical Analysis and Development presents an article on the welfare of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI). PMI play an important role in the national economy through substantial remittances and are predominantly young women from rural areas who migrate due to limited domestic job opportunities. Households with PMI tend to have better economic conditions, and returning migrants have the potential to earn higher incomes especially women, those with higher education, and those working in the services sector. However, many returning PMI re-enter the informal sector, causing their overseas experience to be insufficiently recognized in the domestic labor market. Skills training, access to financing, and business mentoring are needed to ensure that the benefits of migration are more evenly distributed and contribute to long-term welfare. We hope that this booklet can capture the essence of each statistical value, and make these stories inspire us to create better changes for the future of Indonesia, especially in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.