"There is a change in the structure of our population, that our number of old people keeps increasing," BKKBN's deputy for population control Bonivasius Prasetya Ichtiarto noted here on Saturday.
He said that Indonesia will face an aging population 10 to 15 years from now.
According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the number of elderly people in the country reached 29.3 million in 2021, accounting for 10.82 percent of the total population.
Meanwhile, 43.29 percent of the elderly population came from the bottom 40 percent of households.
Ichtiarto said that old people with a low quality of life will be a burden on the government as they will need more support and assistance.
Considering that more elderly people in Indonesia have a low level of education and economy, the government has decided to develop various policies as part of comprehensive efforts to reduce the elderly's burden on the family and society by exploring their potential.
The government needs to build resilient, independent, and productive senior citizens.
BKKBN has set up schools for the elderly to fulfill old people's long-term needs, such as developing their cognitive and social skills.
In the long term, a strong elderly population could help maintain national economic stability.
In the schools, old people are being encouraged to be productive by taking part in social empowerment and skill-learning activities that can support their livelihoods.
"We need to prepare those who are aged 50 years and above along with the young generation, so they can self-sustain and be productive," Ichtiarto said.
The government is also preparing a quality productive generation to realize the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision of making Indonesia an advanced country.
"The school for the elderly is to build resilient old people," he said.
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Translator: Hreeloita S, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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