Population Data is Strength for Regional Policy Formulation

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi highlighted the transformative power of population data, particularly the National Identification Number (NIK), in shaping public services and policy within the city. He asserted that NIK has evolved beyond a mere administrative identity to become the bedrock for a wide array of essential services.

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All the keys are in NIK and Digital Population Identification (IKD).

In Surabaya, NIK is now integral to social assistance distribution, the empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), digital parking systems, and healthcare access. The city has been actively implementing the Digital Population Identification (IKD) system since 2021, progressively integrating NIK into various service platforms. This effort has earned Surabaya recognition, placing it among the top 10 recipients of the Dukcapil Prima Award for its high IKD activation rate.

"Population data is the first door for the government to know its citizens, their conditions, their problems, and what interventions should be given," Eri explained during the National Coordination Meeting for Population Administration in 2026. He stressed Surabaya's commitment to a "One Data, One Map, One Policy" principle, underscoring the critical role of accurate data in ensuring that programs, such as social aid and scholarships, reach the intended beneficiaries effectively.

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Population data is the first door for the government to know its citizens, their conditions, their problems, and what interventions should be given.

The mayor further elaborated on specific applications, including a digital shopping system for MSMEs that has reportedly generated significant economic activity. The integration of NIK in digital parking has also promoted cashless transactions and financial inclusion for parking attendants. Eri concluded by stating that the quality of population data directly influences regional development achievements, such as poverty and stunting reduction, positioning the Population and Civil Registry Office as a strategic partner in the local government's success.

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For example, the decrease in poverty and stunting rates cannot be separated from the accuracy of program recipient data. The Population and Civil Registry Office plays a strategic role in supporting the success of the regional government.