President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) decade-long leadership has been deemed successful based on the Social Progress Index (SPI), an international benchmark that assesses social well-being, as revealed by a report on Monday (September 30).
The SPI is compiled by the Social Progress Imperative, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving human welfare by providing a comprehensive measurement of a nation’s social performance.
“This institution is credible and has collaborated with renowned organizations such as Deloitte and the World Economic Forum,” Denny JA noted in his statement.
The SPI assesses social progress through various indicators, including basic human needs, well-being, and opportunities. It was first introduced in 2014, covering 163 countries, offering a crucial non-economic perspective on a nation’s progress.
In 2014, Indonesia scored 61.65 on the SPI, ranking 92nd globally. By 2023, the score had risen to 67.22, improving Indonesia’s rank to 80th.
“This improvement signifies the enhanced social welfare under Jokowi’s leadership,” Denny JA said.
The SPI differs from traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as it evaluates social well-being beyond economic growth.
“The SPI is important because it measures how well a country meets its citizens’ basic needs, promotes their well-being, and creates opportunities for its population,” Denny JA explained.
“In other words, the SPI provides a more comprehensive view of a society’s quality of life rather than merely focusing on economic growth,” he added.
According to the SPI, Indonesia made significant strides during Jokowi’s tenure in addressing fundamental needs, expanding access to education and healthcare, and improving economic opportunities.
While challenges remain—particularly regarding equality and environmental protection—Indonesia’s improved SPI score and ranking suggest that the country is on the right path toward enhancing social welfare.
“Based on the SPI, Jokowi’s 10 years in office can be considered successful, although more effort is needed to achieve social equality and justice across all regions of Indonesia,” Denny JA concluded. (RR)
