Indonesian Youth Unemployment Highlighted by Celebrity LinkedIn Stunt

On January 26, 2026, Indonesian actress Prilly Latuconsina updated her LinkedIn status to "Open to Work," intending to signal her availability for offline sales experience outside the film industry. However, the post ignited a wave of backlash, as many perceived it as tone-deaf amidst Indonesia's high youth unemployment rates. The International Labour Organization projects that by 2026, 21.6% of Indonesian youth aged 15 to 24 will be neither employed nor in education or training. This incident underscored the stark contrast between the struggles of ordinary job seekers and the perceived privilege of celebrities.

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Indonesia's youth unemployment rate is notably high, consistently exceeding 20% since the 1990s, with the country ranking second in Southeast Asia for jobless youth, only behind Laos. In 2025, the overall unemployment rate in Indonesia was reported at 4.85%, the highest in the region according to the International Monetary Fund. Many young graduates, despite their degrees, face prolonged unemployment or are forced into low-paying gig work. The situation is exacerbated by a lack of available jobs in the formal sector, particularly for those graduating from vocational schools or universities.

The Straits Times

The reaction to Latuconsina's post resonated deeply with young job seekers like Ebi, a recent graduate who has sent over 100 job applications without success. Ebi expressed her frustration, stating, “Honestly, I was angry; I even ranted about it on Twitter. The campaign was really insensitive.” Similarly, Rizkia Mardhatillah Putri, another recent graduate, has applied for 15 jobs without receiving any responses. Both young women highlighted the disconnect between job postings that claim to welcome fresh graduates and the reality that employers often seek candidates with extensive experience.

The Straits Times

Despite Indonesia's reported economic growth of 5.11% in 2025, experts like Bhima Yudhistira from the Center of Economic and Law Studies argue that youth unemployment remains a critical issue. He attributes this to "premature deindustrialisation," which limits job opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Government initiatives, such as the national internship program launched under President Prabowo Subianto's administration, have not significantly impacted unemployment rates, as there are insufficient incentives for employers to convert interns into full-time employees.

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In response to the backlash, Latuconsina's brand collaboration linked to her LinkedIn post was canceled, reflecting the public's discontent. Critics argue that the incident highlights a broader issue of privilege among celebrities, contrasting sharply with the realities faced by young job seekers in Indonesia.

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The uproar surrounding Latuconsina's post has reignited discussions on the need for effective policies to address youth unemployment in Indonesia. Stakeholders are calling for a shift in focus towards creating more job opportunities, particularly in the creative industries, which could absorb a significant amount of labor if expanded.

The Straits Times

• “Honestly, I was angry; I even ranted about it on Twitter. The campaign was really insensitive,” — Ebi, Recent Graduate

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• “A lot of job postings say that they’re open to fresh graduates, but it feels like a lie.” — Ebi, Recent Graduate

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• “The main issue with the government programme is that there are not enough incentives for participating employers to offer full-time jobs for the interns once the programme ends.” — Bhima Yudhistira, Executive Director, Center of Economic and Law Studies

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