Whether people can access a doctor, specialist care or other essential health services often depends on where they live. In Indonesia, shortages of health workers, a lack of specialist doctors and uneven distribution of health personnel often challenge people’s access to health care, particularly in underserved areas. These challenges underscored the need for stronger evidence to guide health workforce planning and investment.
To address these issues, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated a health labour market analysis (HLMA) to assess availability, distribution, demand and dynamics of the country's health workforce. The findings were presented and discussed during the Indonesia’s Health Labour Market Analysis Policy Dialogue held in Jakarta on 15–16 July 2026, which brought together representatives from government agencies, local governments, professional organizations, development partners, international experts, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific and WHO Indonesia.
The analysis found that Indonesia faces challenges across the health labour market. The country has approximately 41 health workers per 10 000 population, well below the Western Pacific Region average of 82.7 per 10 000 population. The most significant bottleneck is the shortage of medical specialists, with current availability meeting only about half of estimated needs. The assessment also highlighted geographic disparities, with health workers and specialist training programmes concentrated in urban centres, as well as mismatches between the production, employment and deployment of health workers and the needs of the health system.
In the dialogue, participants discussed how these findings can be translated into policies and investments that strengthen workforce planning, education, recruitment, deployment and retention. Beyond increasing the number of health workers, the goal is also to ensure that health professionals have the right skills and are available where communities need them most.
Director General of Human Resources for Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr Yuli Farianti, said the assessment provides critical evidence to support more effective workforce planning. “HLMA helps ensure that Indonesia not only have the number of healthcare workers, but also ensure they have appropriate competencies, are placed in appropriate locations, and able to respond to healthcare needs,” she said.
The dialogue also emphasized that addressing health workforce challenges requires action beyond the health sector alone. According to Bonanza Perwira Taihitu, Expert Staff to the Minister for Politics and Globalization of Health, “Strengthening human resources is a top priority of Health Transformation. This requires collaboration among local governments, education institutions, hospitals, professional organizations and international partners.”
WHO noted that Indonesia's assessment steps are in line with global efforts. Many countries are currently adapting their healthcare systems to respond to population changes and new technologies. WHO Indonesia Technical Officer for Health Policy and Strategy, Deki, said, “This data-driven effort will help ensure that health services in Indonesia remain accessible, effective and responsive to the needs of communities in the future.”
HLMA findings and recommendations will inform the development of the 2026–2035 Health Human Resources Blueprint. The blueprint will provide a long-term roadmap for health workforce planning, education, recruitment, deployment and retention. This will contribute to ensuring all Indonesians can access quality health services delivered by health workers they need, wherever they live.
Written by Zakiyah Eke, National Professional Officer (Health Workforce), WHO Indonesia