Indonesia’s workforce shows strong engagement but lower life satisfaction: Report

Indonesia’s workforce is demonstrating steady engagement levels and relatively low stress, yet faces notable challenges in overall well-being, according to the latest findings from the Gallup. 

The report titled, 'State of the Global Workplace: 2026' released in April 2026, paints a nuanced picture of Indonesia’s workforce, marked by strong engagement and optimism about job opportunities, balanced by concerns around emotional well-being and life satisfaction. Key insights from the report are: 

Strong employee engagement: The report reveals that 27% of employees in Indonesia are engaged at work, surpassing the Southeast Asia regional average of 25% and the global average of 20%. This figure has remained unchanged from the prior three-year rolling average, indicating stable workforce motivation and productivity across the country.

Well-being lags: Despite higher engagement, only 30% of Indonesian employees reported thriving in their overall lives. This falls short of both the Southeast Asia average of 36% and the global benchmark of 34%, highlighting a disconnect between workplace engagement and broader life satisfaction.

Stress down, but emotional challenges persist: Indonesia stands out for its relatively low stress levels. Just 14% of employees reported experiencing significant stress the previous day, well below the regional average of 25% and the global average of 40%. This marks a one-point decline from the prior three-year average. However, other emotional indicators suggest lingering concerns:

• Anger: 21%, slightly higher than the regional average of 19% but below the global average of 22%.

• Sadness: 27%, exceeding both the regional (21%) and global (23%) averages, though down by two percentage points from previous trends.

• Loneliness: 23%, higher than the regional average of 19% and slightly above the global figure of 22%.

These findings underscore the importance of prioritising mental health and social well-being within Indonesian workplaces.

Outlook for jobs: Indonesia’s labour market remains resilient, with 64% of employees stating it is a good time to find a job in their local area. This aligns with the Southeast Asia regional average and significantly surpasses the global average of 52%. The figure reflects only a marginal one-point decline from the previous three-year rolling average.

As organisations strive to build resilient and people-centric workplaces, the findings highlight an opportunity for employers to invest in holistic employee experiences that support both productivity and personal well-being.

With Southeast Asia continuing to emerge as a dynamic economic hub, Indonesia’s workforce trends will remain pivotal in shaping the region’s future of work.