Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The latest consumer survey by Bank Indonesia (BI) shows rising public optimism over job availability in Indonesia, with the Job Availability Index (IKLK) strengthening in December 2025.
BI reported that the IKLK climbed to 106.5 in December, up from 103.7 in November, signaling improved perceptions of current employment opportunities.
"Respondents' assessment of current job availability has improved," BI said in the survey released on Friday, January 9, 2025.
Based on education level, all respondent groups recorded gains, with the strongest optimism coming from those with postgraduate qualifications. The IKLK for the postgraduate group jumped sharply from a pessimistic 99.9 in November to 117.1 in December.
Other education groups also posted increases, with the index reaching 101.2 among high school graduates, 112.8 for diploma holders, and 117 for bachelor's degree holders.
In the previous month, these three groups had already remained in optimistic territory.
By age group, job availability perceptions improved across most segments. However, respondents aged 51 and above continued to report pessimistic views, with their index still below the 100-point optimism threshold.
BI data also show that job availability sentiment has fluctuated over the past year. The IKLK remained in optimistic territory from January to April 2025 before slipping into the pessimistic zone for five consecutive months between May and September. The index began to recover in October and has stayed above 100 since then.
Meanwhile, expectations for job availability over the next six months edged slightly lower. The Expectation Index for Job Availability (IEKLK) declined marginally from 135.3 in November to 135.1 in December, though it remains firmly in optimistic territory.
Future job prospects softened across most education levels, but postgraduate respondents continued to post the highest expectations, with an index of 145.3. By age, expectations improved among respondents aged 31 to 60, suggesting confidence in medium-term employment prospects within this group.