"This is also related to poverty. We already have the target to reduce extreme poverty to almost zero by 2024," he noted on Monday.
Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded that the level of inequality in people's spending in March 2023 had increased compared to the figure in September 2022.
This is evidenced by the increase in the Gini ratio in March 2023, from 0.381 to 0.388, representing a 0.007-point increase.
Based on region-base mapping, the Gini ratio in cities was recorded to be higher compared to the figure in villages, with 0.409 and 0.313, respectively.
The Gini ratio in villages in March 2023 remained constant compared to the figure in September 2022. In fact, overall, the development of the Gini ratio in villages has been stable since September 2019, fluctuating between 0.313 and 0.315.
The Gini ratio describes the level of inequality in people's wealth or income. The figure can range from 0 to 1, where 0 represents perfect equality.
Through the gradual completion of the PSN infrastructure projects, the minister believes that infrastructure equity will be one of the methods to address the issue of inequality in Indonesia.
"That is our target. Of course, we will continue to invest in human resources and various programs," Hartarto remarked.
As of July 11, a total of 158 PSNs have been completed, with the value of the projects recorded at Rp1,102.6 trillion (approximately US$72.8 billion).
In light of this progress, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs aims to complete 25 projects this year. Hartarto aims for Indonesia's economic growth in 2024 to reach 5.5 percent.
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Translator: Bayu Saputra, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Anton Santoso
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