BPS Attributes Decile Polemic to Inaccurate Data

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) Director of Statistics Methodology and Data Science, Setia Pramana, explained that errors in decile classifications are due to outdated data which is being updated. Deciles are welfare classifications used in the Socio-Economic Single Data (DSTEN) system. Setia highlighted that inaccuracies can cause individuals to be incorrectly placed in a decile, as the data is not yet precise.

He stated that BPS measures data through expenditure estimation, but this is not the sole metric. Instead, their measurement indicators consider over 40 variables such as housing, assets, demographic data, and sanitation access. Despite acknowledging that calculation models and underlying data contain error margins, Setia noted that the error rate has improved from 37 percent to 23 percent.

Several factors contribute to data errors, including outdated records, misclassification, and challenging terrain. The main issue arises when distribution targets exceed set quotas. BPS, along with the Ministry of Social Affairs and other ministries, are actively working to minimize errors in data sets and statistical models. Setia emphasized that clarifying the controversy surrounding deciles is crucial as they represent relative measures of welfare, not fixed expenditure thresholds.