Waste generation in Indonesia: How socioeconomic factors determine patterns in 2024?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61511/evojes.v3i1.2026.3175Keywords:
population density, socioeconomic determinants, waste generationAbstract
Background: Rapid urbanization and economic growth in Indonesia have significantly increased municipal solid waste generation, posing environmental challenges. While prior studies have explored socioeconomic influences on waste, few have analyzed the combined effects of demographic and economic factors across all districts and cities using recent nationwide data. This study aims to provide empirical insights into the socioeconomic determinants of waste generation and to support the development of data-driven, sustainable waste management policies in Indonesia. Methods: This study analyzes daily waste generation in 2024, focusing on GRDP per capita, population density, average years of schooling, and poverty rate (P0). District- and city-level data were obtained from Statistics Indonesia and the National Waste Management Information System. Robust Linear Regression was applied to assess the effects of these variables. Findings: Population density increases waste generation, while higher average years of schooling and higher poverty rates are linked to lower waste production. GRDP per capita shows no significant effect. Social and demographic factors, therefore, play a stronger role than short-term economic output in shaping waste patterns. Conclusion: Average years of schooling, poverty rate, and population density are key drivers of waste generation, emphasizing the need to integrate socioeconomic and urban planning considerations into waste management strategies. Novelty/Originality of this article: The study provides nationwide empirical evidence on socioeconomic determinants of waste generation in Indonesia and offers practical insights for developing data-driven, sustainable waste management policies.
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