Iim Halimatusa'diyah – The Indonesian social media scene has recently been flooded with short, humorous videos and memes illustrating social inequality. Phrases such as "kesenjangan sosial core" and hashtags like #kesenjangansosial have gained significant traction, particularly among younger users. These types of content have gone viral, and appear to illustrate the fact that the issue of inequality resonates strongly among Indonesian youth.
They also reflect actual experiences. Beneath the jokes and sarcasm lies a deeper understanding that social inequality is not merely an abstract concept but embedded in everyday realities. Policymakers should be cognisant of such trends and seek to address the concerns that they represent.
According to the Youth and Civic Engagement in Southeast Asia Survey by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, there is increasing concern among Indonesian youth about the widening socio-economic gap and rising income disparity. The survey of 3,081 undergraduates across six Southeast Asian countries shows that Indonesian youth appear to be the most concerned about the issue, with 63.71 per cent of the respondents saying they were "very concerned" (Figure 1).
Bread and butter
Figure 1. Southeast Asian Youth: Concerns about Socio-Economic Gaps and Income Disparities (see original document)
The finding aligns with the reality of inequality in Indonesia as measured by the Gini index. According to Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), the country's Gini index increased to 0.381 in September 2024, from 0.379 in March. Inequality in urban areas is higher at 0.402. This demonstrates that inequality is most severe in cities associated with economic growth. In Jakarta, for instance, expensive apartments are frequently located near informal settlements with inadequate infrastructure. Unequal access to and the difference in quality of education between elite private schools and public schools are also evident in various regions in Indonesia.
The high unemployment rate among Indonesian youth also heightens their concerns. The National Labor Force Survey (Sakernas) in February 2025 shows that unemployment among youth reached 16.16 per cent, about four times higher than the overall unemployment rate of 4.76 per cent. The Youth and Civic Engagement in Southeast Asia Survey confirms this, with 74.48 per cent of the Indonesian respondents expressing that they were "very concerned" about unemployment and economic recession compared to their peers from other countries.
The survey also shows that 72.4 per cent of Indonesian youth consider it difficult to find their dream or preferred job – the highest rate among the six Southeast Asian countries surveyed. Combined with the 3.59 per cent who say it is "impossible", more than three-quarters, or 75.99 per cent of the Indonesian respondents expressed significant frustration with the job market (Figure 2).
Dreaming on about that dream job
Figure 2. Southeast Asian Youth: Access to the Job Market (see original document)
The survey also shows that Indonesian youth are the most likely to express their thoughts and opinions on social media (33.27 per cent) compared to youth in the other five countries surveyed. For Indonesian youth, social media is more than simply amusement. It also serves as a platform for expression, criticism, and connection. Frustrations can be effectively captured in a 15-second video or a simple meme, turning discomfort and silence surrounding the topic into satire and collective awareness.
Similarly, more than half (55.39 per cent) of Indonesian respondents "always" and "quite often" participate in online discussions of social and political issues (Figure 3). This is primarily due to the high accessibility and participatory nature of digital platforms. Despite persistent digital divides, social media has become a key enabler for youth political expression, engagement, and creativity.
Social media as an outlet
Figure 3. Southeast Asian Youth: Participating in Online Social and Political Discussion (see original document)
In this context, making inequality laughable makes it more bearable. But, more importantly, it is a means for engaging others in discussion without lecturing or preaching. They provide insight into the emotional and political pulse of Indonesia's youth. When memes, videos, and hashtags address inequality, they reveal what the younger generation believes to be broken and unjust, necessitating change. The digital shift in political expression has expanded democratic participation, enabling individuals from diverse backgrounds, including marginalised communities, to express political opinions without the traditional constraints of mainstream media or state control.
Policymakers in Indonesia should take the increasing trend in digital awareness seriously. Ignoring the early signs of deep resentment can lead to retreat, distrust in government, or worse, political apathy or instability. If policymakers and elites dismiss these voices merely because they come from social media, they will miss a critical signal from the younger generation demanding a more just Indonesia. More importantly, Indonesian youth are the backbone of democracy in the country, and deep resentment among them may lead to movements for political change.
The government and policymakers should consider expanding and reforming social protection programmes to better target and reach urban poor youth, informal workers, and underserved families, particularly in cities with the highest Gini index.
The government needs to invest in ensuring equal access to good-quality public education, vocational programmes, and digital literacy training in low-income regions. Assistance should be extended to not only primary schools but also universities and job-training programmes in low-income areas. Finally, the building of participatory platforms both online and offline will enable youth to provide feedback on issues such as educational budgets and job development plans. This will transform online expression into constructive civic engagement.
[Iim Halimatusa'diyah is a Visiting Senior Fellow in the Regional Social and Cultural Studies Programme, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, a Senior Lecturer at Islamic State University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah, and a Deputy Director for Research at the Center for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM) UIN Jakarta.]
Source: https://fulcrum.sg/indonesias-youth-and-the-online-demand-for-change