Papua Rises to the ToJakarta — Papua has once again marked a significant national achievement, with three provinces in the region ranking among the top five highest Provincial Minimum Wages (UMP) for 2026, standing just below DKI Jakarta, which remains the highest in Indonesia.
According to official data, South Papua Province secured second place with a 2026 UMP set at Rp4,508,850, reflecting an increase of 5.19 percent or Rp222,221 compared to the 2025 figure of Rp4,285,850.
Following closely, Papua Province established its 2026 UMP at Rp4,436,283, marking a rise of 3.51 percent or Rp150,433 from the previous year’s rate of Rp4,285,850.
Meanwhile, Central Papua Province ranked fourth with a UMP of Rp4,285,848, a figure that remains unchanged from 2025.
Despite the relatively high minimum wages, Papua continues to face challenges related to high living costs, largely driven by expensive logistics and uneven infrastructure development across the region. As reported by CNBC Indonesia, the Decent Living Needs (KHL) in Papua are estimated to reach approximately Rp5.3 million per month.
At the national level, DKI Jakarta remains at the top of the list with the highest UMP for 2026, set at Rp5,729,876 per month, representing an increase of 6.17 percent or Rp333,115 compared to the previous year. As the center of government and national economic activity, Jakarta continues to lead in wage standards.
As of now, two provinces have yet to announce their 2026 UMP figures, namely Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and Papua Pegunungan Province.
This development underscores Papua’s growing role not only in national strategic considerations but also in Indonesia’s wage policy framework, reflecting ongoing efforts by the government to promote more equitable welfare and economic balance in the eastern regions of the country.p: Three Provinces Record Highest Minimum Wages Nationwide in 2026
