Jakarta — President Joko Widodo’s leadership has been recognized as successful according to the Social Progress Index (SPI), an international benchmark for assessing social well-being. This was revealed in a report on Monday (September 30).
The SPI is created by the Social Progress Imperative, a non-profit organization that aims to enhance human welfare by providing a comprehensive assessment of a country’s social performance.
Denny JA stated, “This institution is reputable and has collaborated with well-known organizations such as Deloitte and the World Economic Forum.”
The SPI measures social progress through various indicators, including basic human needs, well-being, and opportunities. It was first introduced in 2014, covering 163 countries and offering a crucial non-economic perspective on a country’s progress.
Indonesia scored 61.65 on the SPI in 2014, ranking 92nd globally. By 2023, the score had increased to 67.22, elevating Indonesia’s rank to 80th.
“This improvement reflects the enhanced social welfare under Jokowi’s leadership,” Denny JA commented.
The SPI differs from traditional economic indicators like GDP as it evaluates social well-being beyond economic growth.
“The SPI is crucial as it assesses how well a country meets the basic needs of its citizens, promotes their well-being, and creates opportunities for the population,” explained Denny JA.
“In essence, the SPI provides a more comprehensive view of a society’s quality of life rather than solely focusing on economic growth,” he added.
According to the SPI, Indonesia has made significant progress during Jokowi’s tenure in addressing fundamental needs, increasing access to education and healthcare, and enhancing economic opportunities.
While challenges remain, especially in terms of equality and environmental protection, Indonesia’s improved SPI score and ranking indicate that the country is moving in the right direction towards enhancing social welfare.
“Based on the SPI, Jokowi’s 10 years in office can be deemed successful, although more work is needed to achieve social equality and justice throughout all regions of Indonesia,” concluded Denny JA. (RR)