Today, Japan’s nursing care industry is supported by a significant number of foreign workers. Among them, Indonesians stand out, with approximately 13,000 individuals working under the Specified Skilled Worker and Technical Intern Training programs.

Meanwhile, Indonesia is also facing a rapidly aging population, and the role of caregivers is emerging as one of the “new professions” in the country.

This article introduces the characteristics of Indonesian caregivers and their working environments through data and videos, providing insight into how caregivers are positioned within Indonesian society.

Indonesia’s Nursing Care Industry

Nursing Care Classified Under Nursing Services

In Indonesia, care services including caregiving professions are not yet officially classified as distinct occupations. According to statistics from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) and the Ministry of Manpower, the caregiving sector is categorized under the broader medical field, and caregivers are subsumed under nurses. As a result, there is a lack of detailed data specific to caregiving.

Early Dewi Nuriana, the Care Economy Project Coordinator at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Indonesia, emphasizes the need to officially classify caregivers as a profession and to collect relevant data.

She also advocates that “the Indonesian government should pay more attention to the care economy and increase investment in this sector.” Investment by the government in this area could lead to the creation of new employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth.

According to ILO projections, if the Indonesian government invests in care services such as elderly care and childcare, it could create approximately 10.8 million new jobs by 2035.

Reference: BisnisPlus: “Kisah Caregiver, ‘Malaikat’ Penjaga Kala Usia Senja”

Market Size

According to BPS, the 2023 GDP for the medical and social services sector (which includes elderly care) was IDR 251.9948 trillion (approximately USD 15.17 billion*), accounting for 1.3% of the country’s total GDP.

Although the scale is not yet large, the sector’s GDP growth rate for 2024 reached 8.1%. This is the third-highest growth rate after other service industries (9.8%) and the accommodation and food service sector (8.6%), indicating that the market is expanding.

References:
muc consulting: “Melambat, Pertumbuhan Ekonomi 2024 Sebesar 5,03%”
BPS: “Produk Domestik Bruto Atas Dasar Harga Berlaku Menurut Lapangan Usaha (miliar rupiah), 2023”

*USD conversion based on an estimated rate of 1 USD = IDR 16,600 as of 2025

Japanese Companies Entering Indonesia’s Nursing Care Industry

One example of a Japanese company that has entered Indonesia’s nursing care industry is Longlife Holding Co., Ltd. The company partnered with PT Jababeka Tbk to open a senior residential facility called Senior Living D’Khayangan.

This facility is located within the Jababeka Medical City and is open to both individuals who require care and those who do not, allowing for flexible stays starting from a single day. Former nurses and caregivers with practical experience in Japan are engaged in the care of elderly residents.

Reference: PT Jababeka Tbk: “HUNIAN LANSIA: Jababeka Luncurkan D’Khayangan”

Indonesians Working in the Nursing Care Sector

Number of People Working in Nursing Care

In Indonesia, due to statistical classification, caregivers are included under the category of nurses. As a result, there is no accurate data available specifically for the number of caregivers. The total number of workers categorized as “nursing professionals,” which includes caregivers, was 582,023 in 2023, accounting for 38.8% of all healthcare workers.

Reference: Goodstats: “Perawat Dominasi Tenaga Kesehatan Indonesia, Tenaga Medis Hanya 12,25%”

Wage Levels in the Nursing Care Sector

Caregivers working in Indonesia’s elderly care facilities generally earn a monthly salary of IDR 2.5–3.5 million (approximately USD 150–210), which is often close to or below the regional minimum wage. In some facilities or higher-ranking positions, salaries may reach IDR 5–7 million (approximately USD 300–420), but Indonesian caregiver wages are still considered among the lowest in Asia.

Below is a breakdown of average monthly wages in the medical and social services sector by gender and area of residence. While this sector’s average is about 1.2 times higher than the overall industry average, it includes technical medical roles and physicians. Gender-based wage gaps are not significant, but urban–rural disparities are notable.

• Men’s average wage: IDR 4.09 million (USD 247)
• Overall male average: IDR 3.54 million (USD 214)
• Women’s average wage: IDR 3.68 million (USD 222)
• Overall female average: IDR 2.77 million (USD 167)
• Urban areas: IDR 4.25 million (USD 257)
• Urban overall average: IDR 3.59 million (USD 217)
• Rural areas: IDR 2.52 million (USD 152)
• Rural overall average: IDR 2.45 million (USD 148)
• Average in medical & social services: IDR 3.8 million (USD 229)
• Overall average: IDR 3.27 million (USD 197)

Reference: BPS “Indikator Pasar Tenaga Kerja Indonesia Agustus 2024｜P.120-121”

Social Perception of Nursing Care Workers

In Indonesia, becoming a nurse requires completing specialized education at a higher education institution. Therefore, nurses and other healthcare professionals are generally perceived as being highly educated and from relatively well-off families.

Although no specific academic qualifications or certifications are required to become a caregiver, in many cases, individuals who have completed nursing programs become caregivers. As such, caregivers tend to be perceived similarly to nurses.

However, the occupation of caregiving is not yet as widely recognized among the public as that of doctors or nurses. With the exception of government-run elderly homes for seniors without family support, elderly care facilities and home-visit care services have only recently become more prevalent in urban areas. The fact that caregivers in Indonesia are often referred to by the same term as nurses—perawat—indicates that the two professions are not yet clearly distinguished.

As a result, many Indonesians may not have a clear image of what a “caregiver” is. In particular, older generations may be unfamiliar with the profession. To improve the quality and professional status of caregivers, the Indonesian government has established national standards for caregiver qualifications (SKKNI) and implemented vocational training programs.

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Company Formation in Indonesia

Daily Scenes of People Working in the Nursing Care Field

Public Elderly Home in Jakarta

Watch the Video

This footage shows the conditions of a public elderly home in Jakarta. The facility is operating over capacity, with both space and staffing shortages. According to a caregiver featured in the video, there are 358 residents living in the facility, with approximately 20 people sharing each room. There is only one caregiver assigned per room, which highlights the lack of manpower.

In the video, the caregiver says, “I’m learning here for the day when my own parents may need care.” Many individuals aspiring to become caregivers in Indonesia share similar motivations and a sense of personal commitment.

Home-Visit Care Services

Watch the Video

In Indonesia, there has been a gradual increase in hospitals, nursing care facilities, and companies providing home-visit services for the elderly. However, Japanese-style home-visit care services are still limited.

Common services include health monitoring, rehabilitation, and medical care. Meanwhile, assistance with meals, bathing, and other daily activities is typically provided by family members.

The video shows friendly staff interacting warmly with users and their families while diligently supporting rehabilitation activities.

Daycare Services

Watch the Video

Founded in 2015, 247 Wulan Health & Care provides a range of services including nursing homes, caregiver dispatch, and daycare services. This video showcases daycare activities at one of their facilities in Jakarta.

Users first undergo a basic health check, followed by light exercises such as stretching. They then spend time singing, playing games, and engaging in crafts. On days with many participants or favorable weather, activities are held outdoors in a lush garden.

As a company-run facility, it is well-staffed and able to provide detailed and attentive care to its users.

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Indonesians Working in Japan’s Nursing Care Sector

Many Aim to Work Abroad from the Start Due to Domestic Shortages and Low Wages

Indonesia is experiencing a domestic shortage of caregivers. Combined with low wage levels, this leads many individuals to aim from the outset to become caregivers abroad.

Japan, along with South Korea and Taiwan, is one of the primary destinations. A search for “caregiver” (in Indonesian) on the internet yields more information on the Specified Skilled Worker program than on domestic job opportunities.

There are four main pathways for foreigners to work in Japan’s nursing care sector (listed in order of the number of residents):

1. Specified Skilled Worker Program
2. Technical Intern Training Program
3. Status of Residence: “Care Worker”

• Requires passing Japan’s national examination

1. Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Program for Care Worker Candidates

Specified Skilled Worker: Nursing Care Field

According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, as of June 2024, there were 44,298 Indonesians residing in Japan under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) status, of whom 9,760 were working in the nursing care sector. Indonesians now outnumber Vietnamese and Myanmar nationals in this field under the SSW program.

While there are two levels of the SSW status—Type 1 and Type 2—there is no Type 2 for the nursing care field. This is because a career path from SSW Type 1 to the “Care Worker” residence status already exists. However, to obtain the “Care Worker” status, individuals must pass the national certification exam in Japan.

Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: “Acceptance of Foreign Nationals in the Nursing Care Field”

Technical Intern Training Program: Nursing Care

The nursing care field was added to the Technical Intern Training Program in November 2017.

According to FY2023 data on certified training plans, 3,124 out of 74,879 plans for Indonesian trainees were in the nursing care sector. This is the third-largest number after Myanmar and Vietnam.

Note that the Technical Intern Training Program is scheduled to be phased out and replaced by the Employment-Based Training Program between 2027 and 2030.

Reference: Organization for Technical Intern Training: “FY2023 Operational Statistics｜1-6 Technical Intern Training Plan Certifications by Nationality/Region and Occupation (Composition Ratio)”

Status of Residence: “Care Worker”

Foreign nationals residing in Japan under a status such as “Student” or “Specified Skilled Worker” can change their residence status to “Care Worker” if they gain at least three years of work experience and pass Japan’s national certification exam. This status allows for unlimited renewals of the period of stay, effectively enabling permanent residency. It also permits family accompaniment.

As of the end of 2023, Vietnamese nationals comprised the largest group with this status at 4,042, followed by Indonesians at 1,160. The number of Indonesians holding this status has increased approximately sevenfold in the three years since the end of 2020.

Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan: “[Statistics on Foreign Residents (formerly Registered Foreigners Statistics)]｜End of 2023 / End of 2020 “Foreign Residents by Nationality/Region and Status of Residence (Purpose of Stay)””

Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

The Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) began accepting nurse and care worker candidates in 2008. Their residence status is categorized as “Designated Activities.”

As indicated by the term “care worker candidate,” Indonesians entering Japan under the EPA aim to acquire national qualifications after at least three years of employment. Upon passing the national exam, their residence status changes from “EPA Care Worker Candidate” to “EPA Certified Care Worker.” Like the “Care Worker” status, this also allows unlimited renewals.

Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: “Acceptance of Indonesian Nurse and Care Worker Candidates”

After Returning Home: Indonesians Who Worked in Japan’s Nursing Care Sector

Many Start Businesses Unrelated to Their Experience in Japan

Image Source: Ministry of Justice: “FY2022 Follow-up Survey of Returned Technical Intern Trainees”

The career paths of Indonesians who worked in Japan under the Technical Intern Training Program or the Specified Skilled Worker Program vary widely after returning home. Many viewed working in Japan primarily as a means to earn money, and thus do not necessarily seek employment in the same field upon their return.

While detailed data by industry is unavailable, the Ministry of Justice conducted a survey on the post-return careers of technical intern trainees who returned between September and December 2022, as of February 2023. The results for former Indonesian trainees show the following characteristics:

• A lower percentage are employed or plan to be employed compared to other countries (10.9%)
• A higher percentage have started businesses compared to other countries (21.9%)
• A lower percentage are doing nothing compared to other countries (2.5%)
• A higher percentage are working in fields unrelated to their training compared to other countries (48.6%)

Overall, there is a notable trend of starting businesses regardless of the training field. This is likely due to Indonesia’s high unemployment rate and the difficulty of securing employment without strong personal connections.

One common career path unrelated to their training is in Japanese language education. Some former trainees use their Japanese language skills—rather than their occupational experience—to work as Japanese language instructors at language schools or vocational training institutions (LPKs), or even establish their own schools or LPKs.

Reference: Ministry of Justice: “FY2022 Follow-up Survey of Returned Technical Intern Trainees”

Employment That Leverages Experience in Japan

Employment at Japanese Companies

Many returnees hope to work for Japanese companies again, based on their work experience in Japan. These companies are often considered attractive due to better compensation compared to local employers. Additionally, many appreciate the working culture and environment they experienced in Japan and hope to find similar settings.

Nurses and Caregivers

EPA care worker candidates have obtained nursing qualifications in Indonesia. Some return to work as nurses after returning home. However, those who worked in Japan under other residence statuses did not necessarily receive nursing education.

Some choose to continue working as caregivers in Indonesia, utilizing their experience from Japan. However, due to the significant wage gap between Japan and Indonesia, this is not considered a particularly attractive option.

Job Support Remains a Challenge

Job support for returnees who worked in Japan remains insufficient.

Some receive job support from the LPKs (vocational institutions) they attended before departing for Japan, but this is limited to a small portion. Many LPKs do not offer post-return support, and others are geographically distant from the returnees’ hometowns, leaving many without access to assistance.

For returnees whose only career background is their experience in Japan, job hunting can be extremely difficult. Even those who obtained nursing qualifications before going to Japan cannot be guaranteed employment upon return. Often, these individuals have little to no work history in Indonesia and a significant employment gap, making it difficult to secure positions in the highly competitive local healthcare sector.

Growing Interaction Between the Japanese and Indonesian Nursing Care Industries

This article has explored from various angles the role and perception of caregivers in Indonesia.

When looking at the nursing care industries of both Japan and Indonesia, it becomes clear that while Indonesia faces a shortage of caregivers, many individuals aim to work in Japan to support their families financially. This creates an imbalance between domestic needs and overseas labor migration.

As exchange between the two countries’ nursing care sectors continues, it is hoped that a mutually beneficial relationship will be built.

If your company is interested in recruiting or accepting personnel from Indonesia, please feel free to contact PT. TRICRUISE MARKETING INDONESIA.