#LemmeOuttaHere - Young Indonesians Want Out Of Their Country: But Will They Return? | Insight

#KaburAjaDulu: The Indonesian Brain Drain

Key Concepts:

• #KaburAjaDulu: A social media hashtag expressing the desire of young Indonesians to leave the country.
• Brain Drain: The emigration of highly trained or qualified people from a particular country.
• Global Human Flight and Brain Drain Index: A ranking of countries based on the extent of human capital flight.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): An investment made by a firm or individual in one country into business interests located in another country.
• Gig Economy: A labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs.
• Demographic Dividend: The accelerated economic growth that may result from a decline in a country's birth and death rates and the subsequent change in the age structure of the population.
• Dual Citizenship: The status of a person who is a citizen of two countries.
• Human Capital Index: A metric measuring how well countries develop their human capital potential.

1. The #KaburAjaDulu Phenomenon

• #KaburAjaDulu, meaning "Just Get Out First" or "Let Me Out Of Here," is a trending hashtag among young Indonesians on social media platforms like TikTok (almost 200,000 posts).
• It reflects a deeper sentiment of wanting to leave Indonesia for better opportunities and quality of life.
• This movement is characterized by young, well-educated individuals in their most productive years seeking opportunities abroad.

2. Reasons for Leaving

• A Populix survey of 1,000 Indonesians revealed the primary reasons for wanting to work abroad:
  • 82% seek higher income.
  • 62% aim to develop their careers.
  • 61% desire to improve their quality of life.
• Respondents are typically between 18 and 35 years old, with diplomas, bachelor's, or master's degrees, and come from upper or middle-class backgrounds.
• Disillusionment with job availability, quality of life, and economic progress in Indonesia are contributing factors.
• Some feel undervalued by the country due to low salaries, government policies, and rising prices.
• Others are disappointed with the political and economic situation in Indonesia.

3. The Risk of Brain Drain

• The #KaburAjaDulu trend signals a potential worsening of brain drain in Indonesia.
• Indonesia was ranked 88 out of 174 countries in the 2024 Global Human Flight and Brain Drain Index, indicating a significant level of human capital flight.
• Among ASEAN countries, only Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar fared worse.
• Losing young and talented individuals poses a significant threat to Indonesia's future development.

4. Case Studies

• Edwin Yousef Abdullah: A 39-year-old from Jakarta who moved to Bangkok for better job prospects in the hotel industry. He sends 80,000 baht (approximately $2,470 USD) monthly to his family in Jakarta.
• David Nugroho: Originally from Madura Island, he earned his Ph.D. in Thailand and plans to stay there, teaching at Khon Kaen University until he's 60.
• Candra Arifiyanto: A 36-year-old with a degree in German literature who faced difficulty finding a job matching his qualifications after his contract at a medical software firm was not extended.
• Melissa: Daughter of Zulnazmi Djalinus Yasin, working for a global tech company in Dublin, Ireland, since 2019, with no immediate plans to return to Indonesia.
• Warsito Purwo Taruno: A chemical engineer with a Ph.D. who returned to Indonesia after working in the US, where his research on tomography was used by NASA. He now runs a clinic for cancer patients.
• Andanu Prasetyo: Inspired by Melbourne's coffee scene, he founded Toko Kopi Tuku in Jakarta, creating over 1,000 jobs.
• Fina Augustina: A 26-year-old law graduate and social media executive planning to work for a sports company in Spain.

5. Economic Factors

• Indonesia has around 7 million unemployed people, with an unemployment rate of 4.76%.
• Over 840,000 unemployed individuals hold university degrees.
• The unemployment rate for the 15-24 age group is around 16%, significantly higher than older age groups.
• Mismatch between available jobs and the skills of young people contributes to unemployment.
• The Indonesian Rupiah reached record lows against the US dollar in April.
• US import tariffs could negatively impact domestic industries.
• Retrenchment numbers are increasing.
• While FDI has risen, particularly in mining and refining, it has not led to a significant increase in employment.
• The tech sector is experiencing a "tech winter," with startup funding dropping 66% in 2024 to $437.8 million USD.
• Many Indonesians are turning to gig work due to limited job opportunities.
• Government budget cuts of around 306 trillion rupiah (approximately $18 billion USD) are being implemented.

6. Social and Political Discontent

• Indonesian youths express dissatisfaction with the political system and pessimism about the country's economic future.
• They perceive income inequality as unfair.
• There's a disconnect between the government's vision of becoming an advanced economy by 2040-2045 and the reality on the ground.

7. Potential Solutions

• The Ministry of Migrant Workers Protection aims to protect Indonesian workers abroad through education and support.
• Dual citizenship is being considered to encourage overseas Indonesians to maintain ties with their home country.
• Experts suggest that dual citizenship alone may not be enough to entice the diaspora to return.
• Indonesia needs to accelerate industrialization, strengthen job creation across various sectors (including agriculture), and improve skilling and reskilling programs.
• Addressing issues like law certainty and bureaucratic complexities is crucial to attract investment and retain talent.

8. The Indonesian Diaspora Network Global

• The Indonesian Diaspora Network Global connects overseas Indonesians through more than 40 branches worldwide.
• Its members include lecturers, doctors, and businessmen.
• The organization views the #KaburAjaDulu movement as potentially positive, suggesting that if Indonesia cannot provide opportunities, its citizens should seek them elsewhere.

9. Generational Perspectives

• A YouGov survey indicates that Gen Z Indonesians are most inclined to move abroad, followed by millennials.
• The intention to leave is driven by the availability of good jobs and the ease of communication and access to global information.

10. Warsito Purwo Taruno's Experience

• Warsito Purwo Taruno's return to Indonesia after achieving significant success abroad highlights the challenges and rewards of contributing to one's home country.
• His decision to develop technologies for cancer patients demonstrates a commitment to addressing local needs.

11. Prakarsa's Research

• The Think Tank Prakarsa is studying the potential economic losses to Indonesia from brain drain.
• While a precise estimation is complex, potential losses could exceed $500 billion USD annually, considering factors like loss of productivity, tax revenue, and fiscal spending.

12. World Bank's Human Capital Index

• Indonesia scored 0.5 on the World Bank's Human Capital Index in 2020, indicating that it is not maximizing its talent potential compared to neighboring ASEAN countries.

13. Conclusion

The #KaburAjaDulu hashtag reflects a growing desire among young Indonesians to seek better opportunities and quality of life abroad. This trend poses a significant risk of brain drain, potentially hindering Indonesia's future development. Addressing the underlying economic, social, and political factors driving this emigration is crucial to retain and attract talent, ensuring a brighter future for the nation.