Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The hashtag #KaburAjaDulu is gaining traction on social media, serving as a rallying calls for young Indonesians considering opportunities abroad, whether for education or employment.
Indonesia’s Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI) reports that hundreds of thousands of Indonesian citizens are working overseas as part of the country’s migrant workforce (PMI). Official figures show a steady increase in the number of Indonesians seeking jobs abroad each year.
According to Panji Rakyat, BP2MI’s 2024 report recorded 297,434 Indonesian workers spread across various countries, an increase of 0.11% from 297,108 in 2023. The data highlights a growing trend of Indonesians choosing to work overseas, particularly in Asia.
Top Destinations for Indonesian Workers
BP2MI’s data indicates that Indonesian migrant workers predominantly head to Asian countries. The top 10 destinations for 2024 include:
- Hong Kong – 99,773 workers
- Taiwan – 84,581 workers
- Malaysia – 51,723 workers
- Japan – 12,720 workers
- Singapore – 10,819 workers
- South Korea – 10,750 workers
- Saudi Arabia – 7,759 workers
- Italy – 3,535 workers
- Brunei Darussalam – 3,183 workers
- Turkey – 2,630 workers
2025 Trend
BP2MI also released its January 2025 data, offering an early glimpse into this year’s migration trends. The top five destinations for Indonesian migrant workers in January 2025 were:
- Malaysia – 8,014 workers
- Hong Kong – 7,245 workers
- Taiwan – 5,516 workers
- Singapore – 1,161 workers
- Japan – 1,122 workers
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Most Popular Job Sectors
BP2MI’s report also sheds light on the most sought-after professions among Indonesian migrant workers. The top 10 occupations in 2024 were:
- Housemaids – 100,096 workers
- Caregivers – 52,029 workers
- General workers – 22,527 workers
- Plantation workers – 20,665 workers
- Domestic workers – 10,714 workers
- Construction workers – 8,699 workers
- Production operators – 8,443 workers
- Manufacturing workers – 6,700 workers
- Housekeepers & family cooks – 4,728 workers
- Fishermen – 4,135 workers
The #KaburAjaDulu Phenomenon
The #KaburAjaDulu trend continues to spark discussions among Indonesian youth, reflecting a growing interest in studying and working overseas.
Whether driven by better career prospects, higher wages, or access to quality education, many young Indonesians see opportunities abroad as an appealing alternative to staying in their home country.
(Raidi/Agung)
