JAKARTA, The Kabar News—Indonesia’s Human Development Index (IPM) rose to 76.59 in 2026 as the country recorded improvements in health, education and purchasing power, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reported.

The national score increased by 0.69 points from 75.90 in 2025. It also extended a steady rise from 73.77 in 2022, according to the BPS’ official data released on Nov. 5.

The IPM measures progress across three broad dimensions. These cover a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. A higher score indicates stronger overall human development, although the composite index does not capture every aspect of people’s welfare.

BPS reported every component used to calculate the index improved from the previous year.

Life expectancy at birth reached 74.68 years, up by 0.21 years. Expected years of schooling for children aged seven and above increased by 0.04 years, reaching 13.34 years.

Meanwhile, the average years of schooling among people aged 25 and above rose by 0.09 years, reaching 9.16 years. The figures indicate that the average adult has completed slightly more than nine years of formal education, which is roughly equivalent to junior secondary school.

Adjusted annual real expenditure per capita, which BPS uses to represent living standards, increased by Rp566,000 to Rp13.37 million (US$795). The indicator reflects purchasing power rather than an individual’s average annual income.

Provincial data show that 30 of Indonesia’s 38 provinces attained the high human-development category in 2026. Five provinces reached the very-high category.

Jakarta recorded the country’s highest provincial IPM at 85.88. Yogyakarta followed with 83.43, while the Riau Islands posted 81.12. East Kalimantan reached 80.09 and Bali recorded 80.03.

Bali and East Kalimantan moved from the high to the very-high category during the year. East Nusa Tenggara and South Papua advanced from the medium to the high category.

However, development outcomes remained uneven across the archipelago. Two provinces stayed in the medium category, while one remained in the low category.

Highland Papua recorded the lowest score at 55.25. Its index nevertheless increased by 0.34 points from 54.91 in 2025, according to the provincial BPS office.

Jakarta is 30.63 points ahead of Highland Papua, indicating that the national improvement has not reduced the deep regional disparities. The speed at which residents experience improvements in health care and education will vary depending on where they live, how they access public services and the local economy.

Indonesia’s higher score in 2026 is an indication of an overall improvement of the indicators measured by BPS. The future progress will depend on the ability of the authorities to increase access to health care and to improve learning outcomes in the lagging provinces.