Indonesia currently has a working age population (15 to 64) of 181 million, nearly six times the Malaysian population. This figure could grow to 208 million by the time the country marks its centennial in 2045. This will be a great development capital for transforming Indonesia into a wealthy nation.
Tahun ini, Indonesia memiliki 181 juta penduduk usia produktif berumur 15-64 tahun, hampir enam kali lipat penduduk Malaysia. Pada 100 tahun Indonesia merdeka, jumlahnya diperkirakan jadi 208 juta jiwa. Itu adalah modal besar pembangunan yang bisa jadi pengungkit untuk menjadikan Indonesia negara kaya.
The benefits of a large working age population is outlined in PricewaterhouseCooper’s (PwC) February 2017 report, “The World in 2050”, which stated that Indonesia would become the world’s biggest economy by 2050. This large working age population is the country’s demographic bonus, which is expected to last until 2036.
Keuntungan dari jumlah penduduk produktif yang besar itu selaras dengan perkiraan PwC dalam “The World in 2050” pada Februari 2017 yang menyebut Indonesia akan jadi kekuatan ekonomi terbesar keempat dunia pada 2050. Jumlah penduduk produktif yang besar itu adalah buah dari bonus demografi yang sedang terjadi hingga 2036.
“We should make preparations as early as possible so that this demographic bonus does not turn into a deficit,” Statistics Indonesia (BPS) head Kecuk Suhariyanto said in Jakarta on Wednesday (26/9/2018), during a seminar commemorating National Statistics Day (HSN).
“Siapkan generasi muda sejak dini agar bonus demografi tidak berubah jadi bencana,” kata Kepala Badan Pusat Statistik Kecuk Suhariyanto dalam seminar Hari Statistik Nasional (HSN) di Jakarta, Rabu (26/9/2018).
The event also marked National Statistics Day through the 2018 BPS Awards. In the media category, the Kompas daily was awarded for consistently providing sharp analysis of statistical data in relation to objective conditions on the ground. Deputy managing editor Tri Agung Kristanto received the award on behalf of Kompas.
Peringatan HSN 2018 itu juga ditandai dengan penganugerahan BPS Award 2018 kepada sejumlah lembaga. Untuk kategori media, anugerah diberikan kepada Harian Kompas yang konsisten menganalisis data statistik secara tajam dan mengaitkannya dengan kondisi obyektif lapangan. Hadiah diserahkan kepada Wakil Redaktur Pelaksana Harian Kompas Tri Agung Kristanto.
Millennials born between 1980 and 2000 comprise half of the working age population. They belong to a unique generation, born and raised amid changes in the political and socioeconomic landscape as well as during the advent of the internet
Dari seluruh penduduk usia produktif itu, separuhnya adalah generasi milenial yang lahir antara 1980-2000. Mereka adalah generasi unik yang lahir dan tumbuh di tengah perubahan situasi politik dan sosial ekonomi serta berkembangnya internet.
“Managing millennials is sometimes easy, sometimes hard,” said Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara, a researcher at the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef).
“Mengelola anak milenial itu susah-susah gampang,” kata peneliti Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef)
The millennials’ intimate knowledge of digital devices, the internet and social media may trigger an eruption in the digital economy. Despite inheriting manufacturing and agricultural production businesses from their parents, millennials are far more interested in start-ups, financial technology (fintech) and property, a situation that threatens the future sustainability of manufacturing and agricultural industries.
Akrabnya generasi milenial dengan gawai, internet dan media sosial bisa memicu ledakan ekonomi digital. Meski mewarisi industri manufaktur dan usaha pertanian dari orangtua mereka, anak milenial lebih tertarik berusaha di sektor usaha rintisan, teknologi keuangan, atau properti. Situasi itu mengancam keberlangsungan industri manufaktur dan pertanian di masa depan.
In the past 15 years, labor absorption has been declining in the agricultural sectors and fluctuating in industry. However, the figure is skyrocketing in trade, restaurant and hospitality services. “Millennials are interested in [the service industry], as it is seen as having a better career and income trajectory,” said Bhima.
Selama 15 tahun terakhir, serapan tenaga kerja sektor pertanian terus turun dan sektor industri naik turun. Namun pekerja sektor perdagangan, rumah makan dan akomodasi jasa meningkat pesat. “Sektor jasa jadi pilihan anak milenial karena dianggap memiliki jenjang karir dan peningkatan pendapatan lebih cepat,” kata Bhima.
The situation has led to a decline in industrial growth and widespread growth in e-commerce. Nevertheless, a majority of the e-commerce products are imported. The production of domestic goods must be boosted to alleviate the trade deficit.
Situasi itu membuat pertumbuhan industri melambat dan e-dagang melonjak drastis. Namun, sebagian besar barang yang diperdagangkan adalah barang impor. Karena itu, produksi barang dalam negeri perlu terus didorong agar neraca perdagangan yang defisit membaik.
Researches in many advanced countries show that millennials rarely visit a bank in person, prefer ride-hailing services than buying cars, love to travel and prefer lounging in cafés to shopping.
Riset di berbagai negara maju menunjukkan anak milenial jarang ke bank, lebih suka transportasi daring ketimbang beli mobil, dan lebih senang mengontrak rumah di dekat kantor daripada mencicil rumah yang jauh. Generasi milenial gemar jalan-jalan dan nongkrong di kafe daripada membeli baju.
Separately, Youth Laboratory Indonesia executive director Muhammad Faisal said that studies on the economic behavior of millennials abroad did not reflect the economic behavior of Indonesian millennials, who are driven more by changes in the transportation infrastructure and socioeconomic conditions
Secara terpisah, Direktur Eksekutif Youth Laboratory Indonesia Muhammad Faisal menilai riset perilaku ekonomi generasi milenial di luar negeri tidak mencerminkan langsung generasi milenial di Indonesia. Perilaku ekonomi milenial Indonesia lebih didorong oleh perubahan infrastruktur transportasi dan situasi sosial ekonomi.
“Infrastructure development has encouraged youths to develop their hometowns,” he said. This was evident in the cafés, tourism villages and modern agricultural management initiatives that had mushroomed in many regions.
“Perkembangan infrastruktur mendorong anak muda ingin memembangun daerah asalnya,” katanya. Kondisi itu diantaranya ditandainya dengan munculnya kedai kopi di berbagai daerah, desa wisata, hingga pertanian yang dikelola secara modern.
In advanced countries, gadget use led to individualism that increased stress; in Indonesia, gadgets appealed to youths and increased contentment.
Di negara maju, penggunaan gawai meningkatkan individualisme yang memicu stres dan depresi. Sementara di Indonesia, gawai bisa mengikat anak muda dan meningkatkan kebahagiaan.
Millennials are facing new professional challenges. The widespread use of machines and automatization has replaced a number of traditional jobs in Industry 4.0.
Tantangan kerja yang dihadapi generasi milenial di masa depan juga berbeda. Masifnya penggunaan mesin dan otomatisasi dalam Revolusi Industri 4.0 membuat sejumlah pekerjaan tradisional tergusur.
A 2016 study the International Labor Organization (ILO) conducted on ASEAN countries found that more than 60 percent of jobs in the electronics, automotive, textile and fashion industries were threatened by automatization. “Despite the potential loss of many jobs, more new jobs created will be created,” said Bhima.
Studi Organisasi Buruh Internasional (ILO) di ASEAN pada 2016 menyebut lebih 60 persen pekerjaan di bidang elektronik, automotif, serta tekstil dan busana terancam oleh otomatisasi. Bahkan, risiko hilangnya pekerjaan di sektor perdangan retail mencapai 85 persen.
In order to preapare for Industry 4.0, radical change was needed in the vocational education system at high schools and universities. “Like in South Korea, education must be adjusted to industry needs. It must not be just about completing compulsory education,” said BPS social statistics deputy head Margo Yuwono.
Untuk menghadapi Revolusi Industri 4.0 itu, sistem pendidikan vokasi di sekolah menengah maupun perguruan tinggi harus diubah secara radikal. “Seperti di Korea Selatan, pendidikan seharusnya disesuaikan dengan kebutuhan industri, bukan sekedar menuntaskan wajib belajar,” kata Deputi Bidang Statistik Sosial BPS Margo Yuwono.
However, Faisal warned that Indonesia’s vast archipelagic territory would make it difficult to apply such radical changes to the national education system all at once. Urban youths were seen as better prepared to accept the changing challenges in professional sectors.
Namun Faisal mengingatkan, wilayah Indonesia yang luas dan berpulau membuat perubahan radikal pendidikan itu tidak bisa dilakukan sama rata di semua wilayah. Kaum muda urban dinilai lebih mudah menerima perubahan tantangan kerja industri.
Apart from supporting modernity, there is also a growing awareness among Indonesian millennials to protect and preserve local traditions. Unique skills with economic values, such as producing handmade batik, must be developed.
Di sisi lain, milenial Indonesia selain mendukung modernitas, juga banyak yang kembali meminati tradisi. Karena itu, keterampilan khas yang bernilai ekonomi, seperti membatik atau kesenian tradisional tetap perlu dikembangkan.
Referensi: Kompas, 28 September 2018