Analyzing Educated Unemployment in West Sumatra from a Macroeconomic Viewpoint

Abstract

Educated unemployment is a structural phenomenon that is increasingly prominent in various regions in Indonesia, including West Sumatra Province. This condition is characterized by a relatively high Open Unemployment Rate (TPT) among population groups with secondary and tertiary education, which has the potential to hamper regional economic performance. This study aims to analyze the phenomenon of educated unemployment in West Sumatra from a macroeconomic perspective based on the highest level of education completed. The research method used is a descriptive quantitative approach by utilizing secondary data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of West Sumatra Province, specifically TPT data by education for the period February and August 2025. The results show that groups with high school, vocational high school, diploma, and university education still face relatively higher unemployment rates than those with low education, with higher education graduates showing significant unemployment vulnerability. This finding indicates a structural imbalance between the supply of educated labor and the absorption capacity of the regional labor market. The implications of this study emphasize the need for integrated regional macroeconomic policies, particularly in strengthening knowledge-based productive sectors, increasing the match of graduate competencies with labor market needs, and optimizing the role of education in driving economic growth and sustainable labor absorption.