The phenomenon of premature marriage is indicated to be one of the reasons for the uncontrolled increase in population in Indonesia. Although still considered low, a survey on Demography and Health of Indonesia (SDKI) in 2012 has become a blow to the government.
The survey showed that the national natal rate (TFR) has increased from 2.41 to 2.6, while in Yogyakarta from 1.93 to 2.1. “It has to be admitted that demography was given less attention after the reform. Although the increase is very small, it certainly burdens the government as it implicates millions of people,” said Dr. Agus Heruanto Hadna in the Aditorium of Centre for Demography and Policy Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada on Wednesday (27/3).
Agus Hadna explained that some 5.4 percent of teenagers have done pre-marital sexual intercourse while some 11.2 percent of the relation ended up in pregnancy. The role of the Family Planning Agency in developing small family has been considered a failure since year 2000.
He said the duty of population control that should be carried out by the BKKBN is also handled by other institutions, therefore, the demography programme is no longer the main programme but a shadow programme. “This made teenagers unaware of contraceptives while the motto of "two children are better" sometimes is made into a joke. Now the motto is "two children are enough",” said the Head of the Centre.
In the seminar that discussed recent demography issues organised by the Centre, Agus Hadna had the opinion that the migration flow triggered the uncontrolled increased population in Yogyakarta. Those are people at 15-49 age range doing outbound migration but leaving natal data at origin regions, which increased the TFR. “The figure is calculated based on the data of babies born by each mother at 15-49 age range and the number of migrants into Yogyakarta at 16 percent,” he said.
On unmet need or contraceptives, Agus said the demand is not met. In 2007 the need was 8.5 percent, increasing into 9.1 percent in 2012.
“Now, pro-natal groups have also emerged, so it’s very difficult to reduce the figure. China had once learned from us, now it’s the contrary. This should be resolved by returning demography and family planning programme as one of national development policy,” he added.