OCCUPATIONAL STRUCTURE AND STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN INDONESIA, 1880–2000

Abstract

Osamu Saito's pioneering research into the long-term changes in occupational structure of Japan has inspired scholars to take a fresh look at structural change in other countries. This article offers a case study of Indonesia. We find a rather slow pace of structural transformation until the 1970s – the immediate post-war period even saw a reversal of trends. After 1970, during a growth spurt, employment growth in manufacturing was not impressive, and services were an even more important source of employment. The role played by by-employment is also analysed, demonstrating that in 1905 the economy was quite diversified.