Article: Understanding Poverty Through a Multidimensional Lens to Promote Inclusive Development (Gunawan, 2026)

Pesisir Barat – Poverty is not merely a matter of low income; it also encompasses limited access to education, healthcare, decent employment, adequate housing, sanitation, and other essential public services. This was highlighted by Dr. Drs. Gunawan, M.Si., Head of the Regional Development Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency (Bapperida) of Pesisir Barat Regency, in his article entitled "Poverty, the Poverty Line, and the Dignity of People's Lives: A Multiperspective Analysis of Welfare Measurement in Indonesia."

In his article, Gunawan explains that the decline in Indonesia's poverty rate based on official statistics published by BPS–Statistics Indonesia is an achievement worthy of recognition. However, he emphasizes that this indicator should be interpreted comprehensively, as many households that are no longer classified as poor according to statistical measures remain vulnerable to falling back into poverty due to economic shocks, rising food prices, or the loss of livelihoods.

Gunawan also discusses the ongoing public debate surrounding Indonesia's national poverty line. According to him, differences in poverty estimates stem from the distinct objectives and methodologies used in measuring poverty. The poverty line calculated by BPS employs the Cost of Basic Needs (CBN) approach as the primary basis for national policymaking, while international organizations adopt different standards for cross-country comparisons.

Furthermore, he underscores the importance of a multidimensional approach to poverty measurement—one that goes beyond income to include education, healthcare, housing quality, sanitation, access to clean water, employment opportunities, and social protection. Such an approach, he argues, provides a more comprehensive picture of people's well-being.

For regional governments, including Pesisir Barat Regency, accurate socioeconomic data serve as a crucial foundation for designing more targeted and effective development policies. The utilization of the National Integrated Socioeconomic Data (DTSEN) strengthened community empowerment programs, food inflation control, and improved access to basic public services are among the strategies considered essential for accelerating poverty reduction.

"The success of development should not be measured solely by a decline in the poverty rate, but also by tangible improvements in people's quality of life," Gunawan stated.

Through evidence-based policies and strong collaboration among the government, the private sector, academia, and the community, poverty reduction efforts are expected not only to lower statistical poverty figures but also to sustainably improve people's welfare and quality of life.

Read the full article at: https://s.bps.go.id/1813-artikel