Indonesia's DTSEN decile system faces accuracy concerns

The implementation of the National Single Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN) decile system has sparked widespread concern regarding the accuracy of welfare classifications in Indonesia. The decile system divides the population into ten groups based on relative socio-economic status, where decile 1 represents the lowest welfare group and decile 10 the highest.

Officials from the Yogyakarta Social Services (Dinsos DIY) noted that recent increases in citizens' decile rankings are not necessarily due to improved economic conditions. Instead, the shifts are driven by the integration of additional data sources, including BKKBN and economic census results, into the DTSEN framework. This data integration has caused discrepancies between statistical rankings and the actual financial realities of many households.

These inaccuracies have significant consequences, as decile status determines eligibility for various social assistance programs, such as the Family Hope Program (PKH), Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT), and the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP). Furthermore, the data affects access to subsidized fuel and public school admissions. Citizens have reported instances where low-income individuals are categorized in high deciles, potentially disqualifying them from essential aid and educational scholarships.