Indonesian President: "Must Follow Korea to Develop Human Resources and Technology"

"'Utilize the 'Population Bonus' Period' Emphasized
Last Year Also 'Korea is a Model Indonesia Should Follow'"

Joko Widodo (Jokowi), the President of Indonesia, emphasized that the country should emulate South Korea's success while announcing the nation's long-term goals.

According to local media such as the daily Kompas on the 16th (local time), President Jokowi made these remarks at the event unveiling the 2025-2045 National Long-Term Development Plan held the previous day. He explained that South Korea's per capita gross domestic product (GDP) was only about $3,500 (approximately 4.46 million KRW) in 1987, but surged to over $12,000 (approximately 15.27 million KRW) in just eight years.

President Jokowi said that South Korea was able to achieve such development because it had human resources and technology, adding, "We too must focus on human resources, technology, and the quality of productivity to emulate this leap."

On the 15th (local time), Indonesian President Joko Widodo is giving a speech at the event announcing the 2025-2045 National Long-Term Development Plan. [Image source=Yonhap News]

He urged that by 2045, Indonesia should maintain a high ratio of working-age population (15-64 years old), and especially between 2030 and 2035, the majority of the population will be in the productive age group, marking a 'demographic bonus' period. He said this would be a golden opportunity to leap from a 'middle-income country' to an 'advanced country.'

Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country with over 270 million people, had a working-age population ratio of 70% as of 2020, possessing both a large production market and consumer market simultaneously.

President Jokowi emphasized, "This demographic bonus period is an opportunity that comes only once in a country's lifetime, but if not properly managed, it can become a disaster with soaring unemployment rates. We must develop not merely by relying on population size but in terms of the quality of human resources."

He stated that by 2045, the gross national income (GNI) per capita should be increased to about $23,000 to $30,300 (approximately 29.24 million to 38.52 million KRW), saying, "It is a challenging task, but to achieve this vision, income must be increased and poverty rates reduced. Improvements are needed not only in science and technology but also in productivity and institutional aspects."

Meanwhile, this is not the first time President Jokowi has publicly stated that Indonesia should emulate South Korea.

A pro-Korean leader, President Jokowi also mentioned last year that "South Korea is a model that Indonesia should follow to become a high-income country," repeatedly citing South Korea as an example.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.