"An interesting fact about entrepreneurship is that in 2018, an average 14 percent of the total population in advanced countries are entrepreneurs, while in Indonesia, it is only 3.1 percent," the minister pointed out here, Thursday.
In the Global Entrepreneurship Index, the United States, Switzerland, and Canada ranked among the top 10. In Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan respectively came 13th and 18th, he noted.
Indonesia is far below other ASEAN member countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, which are respectively ranked 27th, 58th, 71st, and 84th.
"It demonstrates that Indonesia`s entrepreneurship is low," he stated.
One of the factors leading to the low entrepreneurship rate is the education system that does not encourage university students to become entrepreneurs, he noted.
Entrepreneurship is viewed as not being attractive, as most people believe that it would take a long time to become a successful entrepreneur, he stated.
Most university graduates queue up to become civil servants rather than start their own businesses, he added.
The minister remarked that entrepreneurship must be boosted, as Indonesia has the potential to become an entrepreneurship community owing to its demographic and natural resource potential.
Reporting by Asep Firmasyah
Editing by Fardah, Bustanuddin
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Bustanuddin
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