Authors: Grace Zefanya Octovella Situmorang & Koes Afifah Qurratuaini Putri
The problem about the middle class is that they experience many barriers in climbing the economic ladder, which makes them likely to experience stagnancy in their livelihoods. Simultaneously, they also face high vulnerability to the incidence of poverty.
Understanding the Middle Class: Definition, Importance, and Challenges
The middle class serves as a cornerstone of economic stability and social progress. In 2024, BPS data revealed that Indonesia’s middle-class population reached 47.85 million people, constituting approximately 17.13% of the nation’s total population. Additionally, the aspiring middle class, those on the verge of entering the middle-class, has grown significantly, reaching 137.5 million people, or 49.22% of the population. These figures underscore the rising prominence of the middle and aspiring middle classes in Indonesia’s socio-economic landscape, highlighting their pivotal role in driving the nation’s economic development while emphasizing the urgent need for tailored policies to address their specific challenges and vulnerabilities.