A Theil Decomposition of Regional Grouping in Indonesia’s Human Development Index

Abstract

This research is designed to investigate regional differences in human development in Indonesia based on the Human Development Index (HDI) as a main indicator. With the use of the Theil Index decomposition method, this paper investigates the intra- and inter-regional disparities in Java vs. outside Java and KBI vs. KTI (Western Indonesia-Eastern Indonesia). Furthermore, the study uses convergence models (σ- and β-convergence) to examine the speed at which zones with lower HDI access regions with higher HDI. The dataset employed in the study was data from various competencies at each regency-cities in Indonesia during its period of 2010-2021, which was publicly available at the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS). The findings show a significant decrease in human development disparities over time, although the convergence process remains slow. Intra-regional inequality contributes more significantly to the overall disparity than inter-regional inequality, particularly within the KBI-KTI dichotomy. This study suggests that while Indonesia is on a path toward reducing regional disparities, more targeted policy interventions are needed to accelerate the convergence process, particularly in underdeveloped regions like Eastern Indonesia.