Mapping poverty traps in Indonesia: a spatial perspective

Spatial poverty traps may arise in regions characterized by low geographical capital encompassing ecological, economic, and social resilience–where there is a high percentage of impoverished citizens. Recent reports on poverty in Indonesia have primarily focused on distribution, lacking comprehensive geographical context. This study aims to delineate the poverty traps across Indonesia by examining both geographical settings and poverty levels. To achieve this objective, the study employs a spatial poverty trap framework that integrates economic parameters with geographic considerations. Secondary data sourced from third parties were utilized; specifically, data on geographical capital were derived from the village development index (VDI), while poverty level data were obtained from Statistics Indonesia. Data analysis involved the application of various statistical methods, including crosstab contingency analysis, geographically weighted regression (GWR), and geographic information systems (GIS). The crosstab method was employed to identify clusters of poverty levels in relation to the VDI. Regression analysis was conducted to assess the local influence of geographical settings on poverty levels within the regions. Subsequently, GIS analysis was performed to illustrate the distribution of poverty traps across Indonesia’s topography. The findings indicate that 26 regions are identified as spatial poverty traps. Specifically, the topographical analysis reveals that these regions consist of 10 areas situated in mountainous regions and 16 areas located along coastal zones. Overall, this study concludes that poverty traps in Indonesia are predominantly found in mountainous and coastal areas. © 2025, Hungarian Central Statistical Office. All rights reserved.