INFOKU, BLORA – Based on data obtained this year, the number of unemployed people in Blora Regency reached 21,526 people.
The open unemployment rate (TPT) was recorded at 3.74 percent.
This represents a 3.61 percent increase compared to the previous year. Rukhedi, Head of the Blora Regency Central Statistics Agency (BPS), told the press that the increase was due to the Blora community's continued reliance on the agricultural sector.
"Agricultural activity has declined due to the long drought, and people's opportunities for employment have also been affected," he said.
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According to BPS data, the workforce in Blora reached 576,104 people, with 554,578 employed and 21,526 unemployed.
Meanwhile, the non-workforce population was recorded at 169,330 people.
The increase in unemployment in Blora is inversely proportional to the conditions in Central Java.
At the provincial level, the TPT actually fell slightly from 4.66 percent in 2025 to 4.65 percent in 2026.
It was recorded that 16 districts/cities experienced an increase in unemployment, while 19 other regions experienced a decrease.
Rukhedi explained that differences in economic conditions during data collection were one of the things that needed to be taken into account.
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In March 2026, Blora's economic growth, especially in the agricultural sector, still showed relatively good conditions.
However, entering the next period, the community faced a long drought.
"The increase in Blora's TPT is considered not too significant. The difference is only 0.13 percentage points compared to the previous year," he explained.
He also corrected the assumption that a decrease in poverty rates should be followed by a decrease in unemployment.
This is because the two indicators use different data collection periods.
The poverty rate is calculated based on the March National Socio-Economic Survey (Susenas).
Meanwhile, unemployment uses the August National Labor Force Survey (Sakernas).
"Both cannot be seen as a reflection of economic conditions at the same time," he explained.
Rukhedi added that BPS uses the employment concept from the International Labour Organization (ILO).
A person is still categorized as working if in the last week they have carried out work activities for at least one hour to earn income, either in the form of money or goods.
"The job doesn't have to be full-time or have the same hours as formal workers," he stressed. (Endah/ IST )
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