RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) says Indonesia’s second demographic bonus can be achieved through the Empowered Seniors Program, known as Sidaya.

Director of Family Resilience Development for the Elderly and Vulnerable, Elsa Pongtuluran, emphasized that empowering seniors is key to harnessing the demographic shift as the nation’s elderly population continues to grow.

“The elderly should be seen as having potential for development. This is the essence of the second demographic bonus. We must improve education, skills, and health throughout life to ensure they remain productive,” she said during a media discussion in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 25, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The Sidaya program offers health checks, family-based support through the Elderly Family Development Program (Bina Keluarga Lansia), lifelong learning opportunities via Elderly Schools, and entrepreneurship training to strengthen economic participation.

The government also issues Sidaya Cards to seniors, serving as identification and granting access to services and incentives such as transportation discounts, vocational training, digital literacy programs, and employment opportunities.

Elsa noted that the initiative involves multiple ministries and partners, reflecting the growing recognition of elderly workers in the national labor market.

According to the Intercensal Population Survey (SUPAS) conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), Indonesia’s elderly population reached 11.97 percent in 2025. Twenty-three provinces have already entered the aging-population phase, with seniors making up more than 10 percent of their populations.

Indonesia is undergoing demographic transition, marked by a larger working-age population and fewer births.

While this initially drives economic growth, Elsa stressed that the country must prepare for a second demographic bonus, when seniors remain active contributors through savings, investments, and social participation.

The aging trend stems from rising life expectancy and declining fertility, influenced by the success of the Family Planning (KB) program, lower infant mortality, better education, expanding job opportunities, gender equality, and affordable healthcare.

Without effective policies, the growing elderly population could pose social and economic challenges. The government is therefore promoting initiatives to keep seniors healthy, independent, and productive.

As a concrete step, the BKKBN is implementing the Sidaya Program to improve the quality of life for seniors, supporting the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045. ***