Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia will no longer be the 4th most populous country in the world by2045 as it is seeing a declining birth rate, according to the country’s NationalDevelopment Planning Agency (Bappenas).
A recent surveyconducted by the agency and Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows thatIndonesia's population growth rate will decline from 1.17% in 2022 to 0.4% in2045.
The country is expected to have a populationof 324 million in 2045.
In 2020, Indonesia was still the fourth most populouscountry in the world. However, in 2045, Indonesia's position is expected to drop to sixth whilethe fourth and fifth positions will be occupied by Nigeria and Pakistan.
Speaking at theevent "Indonesia Emas 2045 (Indonesia Gold 2045)" on May 16, head of Bappenas Suharso Monoarfa said the population growth rate of the largest economy in Southeast Asiais slowing year-on-year, with an average growth rate of only 0.67% between2020-2050.
This reflects the massive population shifts taking place globally,especially as incomes change and birth rates slow in middle-income countries.
Indonesia hasbeen working hard to exploit its demographic advantages to escape the“middle-income trap” and achieve its goal of becoming a high-income country by2045. The government has launched a succession campaign on family planning withthe goal of not only reducing the birth rate but also improving the quality ofhuman resources by increasing investment in health, education and employment.
According tocalculations, the proportion of Indonesia's population over the age of 65 isestimated to increase to 14.6% in 2045 from 6.2% in 2020. Meanwhile, theproportion of the population in working age (from 15 to 64 years old) isexpected to decline to 65.8% from 69.3% during the same period./.
