Share of population over 15 years old Indonesia 2023, by highest education level

As of 2023, around 40 percent of Indonesians aged 15 years and above had completed senior high school or more. On the other hand, approximately 3.4 percent of Indonesians never went to school.

Education quality and employment

In Indonesia, completing 12 years of education is mandatory, which consists of six years of primary school, three years of middle school, and three years of high school. Despite the decreasing unemployment rate over the years, many high-school and even university graduates still struggled to find jobs, highlighting the urgency in aligning the education system in Indonesia with the job market demands.

Access to education

While progress has been made in expanding access to education in Indonesia, many obstacles are still found in certain areas. Economic factors are said to be the leading issue in pursuing higher education, forcing many students to drop out of school to contribute to their family’s income. In 2022, Papua had the highest share of students who had to work and study simultaneously. The government has been gradually increasing the budget for education in Indonesia, including specific budget allocations for higher education and the 12-year compulsory education program, aiming to improve access and equity in education.