Bali poverty rate drops to 3.42% in September 2025, BPS data shows

Denpasar — Bali’s poverty rate fell to 3.42 percent in September 2025, the lowest level recorded in the province since Indonesia began formally tracking poverty in 1996, according to the provincial office of Statistics Indonesia (BPS). The agency reported that around 160,090 residents were still living below the poverty line.

According to BPS Bali, the September 2025 poverty rate declined from 3.72 percent in March 2025 and confirmed Bali as the province with the lowest poverty level nationally, below a national average of 8.25 percent. The figures were derived from the September 2025 National Socioeconomic Survey (Susenas).

BPS Bali said the number of people living in poverty dropped by about 13,150 between March and September 2025, from roughly 173,240 to 160,090 residents. The agency warned, however, that continued inflation had raised the cost of basic needs.

Key figures from BPS data

Based on presentations by BPS Bali and data summaries published by national outlets, the September 2025 poverty statistics for Bali include the following indicators.

• Poverty rate: 3.42 percent in September 2025.
• People below the poverty line: about 160,090 residents.
• Poverty line per household: around Rp2.65 million per month.
• Economic growth: Bali’s economy grew 5.82 percent in 2025.
• Open unemployment rate: 1.45 percent as of November 2025.

BPS Bali explained that the household-level poverty line — the minimum expenditure needed to meet basic food and non-food needs — was set at about Rp2.65 million per household per month, while the per-capita poverty line stood at around Rp642,986 per person per month. The figures reflect price and consumption patterns captured in the September 2025 survey.

According to BPS Bali, the province’s 5.82 percent economic expansion in 2025 was the strongest annual growth in seven years. The agency noted that, despite robust growth and relatively low unemployment, poverty remains a challenge in several districts.

Statistics Indonesia reported that Bali’s open unemployment rate fell to 1.45 percent in November 2025, one of the lowest among Indonesian provinces. Because the poverty and unemployment indicators refer to different months, analysts caution that they describe related but separate trends.

Government response

Governor Wayan Koster has instructed provincial agencies to use BPS data as the main reference for designing social assistance and employment programs, according to an official statement from the Bali provincial government. He urged departments to target remaining poor households more precisely.

The governor highlighted the Satu Keluarga Satu Sarjana (One Family, One Graduate) scheme, launched in August 2025 to support students from low-income families. The program initially targets 1,450 students and offers full coverage of tuition fees as well as monthly living support.

According to information from the provincial government and local media, the program partners with 28 universities in Bali, both public and private. Tuition support of around Rp1 million per student per semester is combined with living allowances of approximately Rp1.2 million to Rp1.4 million per month, depending on whether students study in Denpasar–Badung or in Buleleng–Karangasem.

The provincial government has framed the One Family, One Graduate initiative as a way to improve access to higher education, strengthen human resources and reduce intergenerational poverty. Local reports indicate that the initial budget allocation for August–December 2025 reached about Rp9.7 billion, with further funding planned in the 2026 fiscal year.

Demographic context

In the same presentation, BPS Bali outlined long-term demographic projections, indicating that Bali’s population could approach 4.75 million by the mid-2040s before growth gradually slows. The provincial government has linked these projections to concerns about demographic sustainability.

To respond to these trends, officials have promoted programs intended to support families and maintain cultural traditions, including those related to customary Balinese names. These initiatives are expected to combine health, nutrition and education support for eligible low-income households, although detailed implementation rules are still being developed.

Sources

• Merdeka.com
• Bali Provincial Government official site
• NusaBali.com
• Databoks (Katadata) – percentage of poor population in 38 provinces, September 2025
• Balipost.com – Kemiskinan Bali Turun ke 3,42 Persen
• Pantaubali.com
• Balijani.id