Avoiding Stagnation: Indonesia's Quest for High-Income Status

Indonesia has been on a rollercoaster ride of economic growth, with a yearly GDP increase of 5%. This achievement is not enough, according to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, to help the country become a high-income nation. The government aims to achieve this goal by 2045, as part of its "Golden Vision. " To reach this target, Indonesia needs to invest more in its human capital, increase value added by moving up the value chain, and accelerate infrastructure development and institutional reforms. Despite a change in political power earlier this year, the country's ambition remains unchanged. The new administration has pledged to continue the push for high-income status. The outgoing President's economic reforms, such as making it easier to hire and fire workers, will make it easier for the new government to achieve this goal. However, Indonesia still faces some challenges. The country's infrastructure needs improvement, and corruption is still a significant issue. But the government is heading in the right direction, and major policy reforms are underway to help sidestep the "middle-income trap" – an economic development situation where countries stagnate at middle-income levels and struggle to advance to high-income countries.