When Gen Z is forced to adapt to the hassle of bureaucracy

Indonesia's Generation Z is encountering a steep learning curve as they navigate the complexities of bureaucratic work, a stark contrast to their digitally-driven, fast-paced lifestyles. Young professionals like Rafif Qardhawi, new to the government sector, find the structured and lengthy procedures of bureaucracy a significant adjustment.

Rafif, now an ASN (Civil Servant) in the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government's Economic and Finance Bureau, notes that bureaucratic workflows are far more structured and time-consuming than the environments Gen Z typically encounters. "Gen Z wants things fast and practical, while bureaucracy demands systematic processes according to rules," Rafif observed.

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Gen Z wants things fast and practical, while bureaucracy demands systematic processes according to rules.

Sabrina Rahmadhanty Maghfira, another ASN in the tourism and creative economy sector, shares similar experiences. She highlights that Gen Z's preference for speed, flexibility, and efficiency clashes with the more methodical pace of government work. This generational difference is evident in the civil service, where Gen Z currently constitutes only about 8.6% of the national ASN workforce, according to a November 2025 BKN Civil Service Journal. The majority remain Millennials (56%) and Generation X (35%).

This low representation is particularly striking given that Gen Z makes up a significant portion of Jakarta's productive population (24.12%), nearly matching Millennials (24.82%). The government is actively promoting digital transformation, making the tech-savvy Gen Z increasingly valuable. However, interest in becoming an ASN appears to be waning among some youth, with BKN data showing 1,967 candidates for the 2024 CPNS (Civil Servant Candidate) positions withdrawing, citing reasons like distant work placements and salary concerns.

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Gen Z tends to want a fast, flexible, and efficient work system, while bureaucracy has a more structured workflow.