Wamendagri urges Indonesia to seize demographic bonus in 20 years
Bima Arya says escaping the middle-income trap hinges on youth readiness and mastery of AI, big data and related fields.
Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya Sugiarto warned that Indonesia has only one chance to use its demographic bonus to escape the middle-income trap and become a developed country within 20 years. He delivered the message in a scientific address at an open senate session at Universitas Garut in Garut, West Java, on Saturday (25/7). According to Bima, the dominance of the productive-age population is a major asset, but it will not automatically lift Indonesia without a younger generation that is resilient, adaptive and prepared for global change. He pointed to digital transformation and AI, which are reshaping labor market needs and public administration. For that reason, young people need to master AI, big data, computer science, robotics, information systems and data analysis. Bima also cited Kemendagri as an example, saying it has already used AI in ASN talent management.