On September 12, 2025, Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) successfully hosted the CESASS-CHAT #3 in a hybrid format, held at the Indonesia Room, CESASS UGM. The session featured Jauza Rifa Abdurrafi, a student of Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham. Delivering a presentation titled “Talent Migration and Economic Growth in Indonesia: Balancing Brain Drain, Brain Gain, and Institutional Capacity,” Jauza shed light on the realities of Indonesian migration and its significance for the nation’s future development.
Jauza outlined recent trends in Indonesian migration, showing how placements dropped during the pandemic but rebounded, with most workers still from secondary education backgrounds. A gradual rise of skilled migration, however, signals both challenges and opportunities. He explained that poverty, unemployment, and low wages remain strong push factors, while higher salaries, career development, and diaspora networks serve as key pull factors. This creates a paradox in which Indonesia risks losing talent in vital sectors while also gaining through remittances, returnees, and knowledge transfer. Jauza also highlighted the viral #KaburAjaDulu trend as an expression of youth frustrations. He also emphasized how these dynamics directly relate to Indonesia’s long-term vision of becoming a globally competitive economy under Visi Indonesia Emas 2045.
The presentation sparked lively discussion among the audience and was followed by an engaging question-and-answer session.
Reporter: Mellyana Nungki Pramitha