TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Structural poverty is one of the forms of poverty that exists in Indonesia. Structural poverty is the poverty caused by the imbalance of access of a society to opportunities for a more decent life.
Furthermore, structural poverty is a form of poverty caused by systemic inequality in the social, economic, and political structure of a society. Unlike temporary poverty, which may arise from specific events such as natural disasters, job loss, or economic crises, structural poverty is more profound and persistent due to the rooted patterns of injustice within public institutions and policies.
As reported by easysociology.com and mattbruenig.com, structural poverty fundamentally occurs not solely due to lack of individual effort, but because certain individuals or social groups face systemic barriers that hinder their escape from poverty. These barriers could include limited access to quality education, adequate healthcare services, fair job opportunities, land and natural resources, or even legal justice.
All these factors are interconnected and form a system that is difficult to penetrate, especially by historically marginalized groups such as small-scale farmers, informal laborers, indigenous communities, or inhabitants of remote areas.
For example, a child from a poor family in rural areas might not have access to decent schools due to distance, high costs, or poor quality of education. As they grow into adulthood, they struggle to compete in the formal job market that demands high skills.
Consequently, they are likely to be trapped in low-income informal jobs, without adequate social protection. This cycle then repeats in the next generation, as their children face similar conditions. This is what is referred to as the cycle of structural poverty.
Structural poverty can also be exacerbated by government policies that do not favor vulnerable groups. For instance, economic development excessively concentrated in major cities can cause rural areas to be left behind. Similarly, a regressive tax system or subsidies enjoyed more by the upper middle class will deepen the gap of inequality. In this regard, poverty is not just an economic issue, but also a reflection of social and political injustice.
Furthermore, structural poverty can reinforce power imbalances. The poor often lack strong political voices to advocate for their interests. As a result, they are marginalized from the decision-making processes that affect their own lives. In the long run, this creates an exclusive social system that perpetuates the status quo, where poverty continues to be inherited from one generation to the next.
Structural poverty results in the poor having little representation in legislative or governmental bodies. Elected political elites generally come from the upper middle class or economic elite, who have significant resources to run for office. Meanwhile, the poor have almost no access to such positions, either due to limited capital, education, or political connections.
As a result, the policy agendas produced mostly mirror the interests of the elite groups, such as tax incentives for corporations, major infrastructure development that does not always address the basic needs of the poor, or budget priorities biased towards urban and formal sectors. This strengthens the social and economic exclusion of the poor.
Editor's Choice: Chamber of Commerce: Indonesia Won't Blindly Adopt World Bank Poverty Standard
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
5 Cases of Environmental Damage in Indonesia due to Mining Activities
3 jam lalu
Here are various cases of mining activities in Indonesia that cause environmental damage and disrupting the ecosystem.
Indonesian Tourist Visits to Australia Up by 15%
1 hari lalu
The General Manager for South and Southeast Asia at Tourism Australia said Indonesia is now one of the fastest-growing markets for Australian tourism.
2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Qatar and Saudi Arabia to Host Fourth Round Matches
1 hari lalu
Six teams will compete in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, including the Indonesian national team.
Tasmania Emerges as a Hotspot for Indonesian Tourists
1 hari lalu
Nearly 60 percent of Tasmania, Australia, consists of nature reserves and national parks, 20 percent designated as World Heritage Sites.
Indonesia's U-17 Team Embarks on 5-Month Training Ahead of World Cup
1 hari lalu
The Indonesian U-17 national team plans to play friendly matches against three countries participating in the 2025 U-17 World Cup.
Indonesia, Singapore Ink MoU on 3.5 GW Power Export Deal by 2035
1 hari lalu
Indonesia and Singapore sign MoU for 3.5 GW electricity export by 2035, including green industry development and US$10 billion investment.
Visa-Free Transit: China's Strategic Move to Boost Global Appeal
1 hari lalu
China allows Indonesian citizens to enter its territory with visa-free transit facilities.
Prabowo, Trump Talk World Peace in Phone Discussion
2 hari lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke for around 15 minutes.
Chamber of Commerce: Indonesia Won't Blindly Adopt World Bank Poverty Standard
2 hari lalu
The World Bank has raised its international poverty line. This could lead to a spike in Indonesia's poverty rate.
2025 President's Cup: Six Teams to Compete for Rp5bn Prize
2 hari lalu
The number of teams in the 2025 President's Cup is confirmed to be the lowest compared to previous years.
