BPS data shows food staples and smoking remain major cost drivers for low income households
New poverty data reveals a persistent reality for low income households across Indonesia, where daily survival costs are still heavily shaped by food staples and long standing consumption habits.
Food Remains the Biggest Burden
Official data released in early February 2026 shows that food continues to dominate spending among poor households in Indonesia. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that basic food needs account for the largest share of the poverty line, both nationally and in urban centers such as Jakarta.
Rice Tops Poverty Line Contributions
Rice remains the single largest contributor to the poverty line. Nationally, rice contributed 21.10 percent to the urban poverty line and 24.62 percent in rural areas as of September 2025. In Jakarta alone, BPS recorded rice accounting for an even higher 24.44 percent of the Garis Kemiskinan Makanan, underscoring the heavy reliance on rice as a staple food.
Cigarettes Still a Major Expense
Cigarettes, particularly filtered clove cigarettes, emerged as the second largest contributor to poverty spending. National data shows cigarette spending contributed 10.41 percent in urban areas and 9.11 percent in rural regions. In Jakarta, the figure climbed to 12.53 percent, highlighting how smoking habits continue to significantly affect household finances among the poor.
Protein Sources Add Pressure
Beyond rice and cigarettes, animal protein remains a notable expense. Nationally, eggs contributed 4.48 percent in urban areas and 3.71 percent in rural areas, while broiler chicken meat accounted for 4.35 percent and 3.42 percent respectively. In Jakarta, chicken meat contributed 7.75 percent and eggs 7.35 percent, reflecting higher urban consumption and prices.
Coffee and Other Daily Needs
Other frequently consumed items such as ground coffee and instant coffee sachets also appeared among the top contributors, accounting for around 2.39 percent of poverty spending nationally. Instant noodles, bread, and other food items contributed smaller shares but remained part of daily consumption for low income households.
Housing and Energy Costs Matter Too
Outside food, housing was the largest non food contributor to the poverty line, contributing around 9 percent in both urban and rural areas nationwide. Fuel followed with nearly 2.9 percent, while electricity contributed up to 2.65 percent in urban areas. These expenses further squeeze disposable income for poor families.
Poverty Line and Population Figures
As of September 2025, Indonesia’s national poverty line stood at Rp641,443 per capita per month, an increase of 5.30 percent from March 2025 and 7.76 percent from September 2024. Based on this threshold, 23.36 million Indonesians were classified as poor. In Jakarta, the poverty line was significantly higher at Rp897,768 per capita per month, with an average poor household requiring about Rp4.57 million monthly to meet minimum needs.
The data highlights how food prices, consumption habits, and basic living costs continue to shape poverty dynamics in Indonesia. For Indonesians and Singaporeans observing regional socio economic trends, these figures underline the importance of food security, public health awareness, and targeted cost of living policies in addressing poverty sustainably.
Sources: CNN (2026) , Kompas (2026)
Keywords: Poor Household Spending, Rice Consumption, Cigarette Spending, Poverty Line Indonesia, BPS Data
