In the middle of ongoing debates about gender equality and shifting family roles, new data reveal that Indonesian women are increasingly carrying a double burden—not only managing their homes but also serving as household heads and primary breadwinners. According to GoodStats, citing data from Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (Badan Pusat Statistik, or BPS), the percentage of households led by women reached 60.5% in 2024, a slight increase of 0.19% from the previous year.
At first glance, that number seems to suggest a majority of Indonesian households are now headed by women. In reality, it refers to the proportion of female-headed households within specific demographic or regional groupings, not across the entire country. When we look province by province, regional disparities become clear: Papua recorded an astonishing 97.77% of households led by women, while East Java and Central Java stood at 66.72% and 65.74%, respectively. Spatially, female-headed households are more common in rural areas (66.71%) than in urban centers (56.52%). This pattern suggests that in many regions—particularly outside Java and across eastern Indonesia—women often assume leadership roles in the family when men migrate to other areas for work or when families are disrupted by widowhood or separation. Research also indicates that these female heads of households are mostly concentrated in the informal sector, working as micro-entrepreneurs, daily laborers, or self-employed workers—jobs that allow flexibility but come with economic instability and limited social protection. This trend aligns with the broader phenomenon of female breadwinners—women who act as the main financial providers for their families. BPS data show that around 14.37% of all workers in Indonesia in 2024 fall into this category. Interestingly, urban areas tend to have a higher proportion of these women, perhaps because of greater access to work opportunities in both the formal and informal economies. Yet most female breadwinners still have low educational attainment, often primary school graduates, and remain concentrated in low-paying, insecure jobs. Marital status is another defining factor: a significant portion of Indonesia’s female breadwinners are widows, either divorced or widowed by death. About 31.18% fall into this category, underscoring how the loss of a partner often leaves women solely responsible for raising and supporting their families.
What do these figures mean for Indonesian society? On one hand, they reveal a slow but real erosion of traditional gender norms that long positioned men as providers and women as dependents. On the other, they highlight how progress in gender roles has not necessarily translated into economic empowerment or social equity for women. As the primary earners, women face heightened vulnerability—lower wages, double workloads (income generation plus domestic labor), limited access to credit and financial services, and poor job security. According to the World Bank’s Indonesia Country Gender Assessment, while gender parity in education and health has improved substantially, female labor participation has stagnated for two decades, hovering around 52%, compared to 85% for men.
Regional and institutional inequalities compound the problem. In places like Papua, where the proportion of female heads of households is high, women still lack access to infrastructure, credit, and stable employment. A recent regional gender equality study found that provinces with low gender empowerment scores—such as Papua and Nusa Tenggara Timur—face far greater structural barriers than more developed regions like Jakarta or Bali. Addressing this challenge requires more than statistics—it demands targeted policies and cultural change. First, vocational and digital skills training must reach women in rural and underdeveloped areas, helping them access more productive sectors. Second, gender-responsive social protection programs—such as microfinance, small-business grants, and affordable childcare—can reduce the burden on female household heads. Third, labor regulations should guarantee flexibility, fair wages, and social security for informal workers.
Equally important is shifting social norms. The notion that household and caregiving duties belong solely to women must evolve. True equality means shared responsibility, both economically and domestically. Indonesia’s growing number of female-headed households represents both progress and paradox. It shows resilience, independence, and social transformation—but also persistent inequity and economic fragility. These women are not merely “heads” of households in name; they are the backbone of families and, often, entire communities. Yet empowerment cannot be measured solely by how many women lead families—it must also be judged by how well they are supported to thrive. Without adequate policies, fair pay, and shared responsibilities, women’s leadership at home risks becoming a burden rather than liberation.