TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A recent survey conducted by the Organization for Economic Coopration and Development (OECD), revealed that Indonesia has been enjoying a strong and stable economic growth over the past decade and a half. This condition resulted in impressive reductions of poverty and major improvements in living standards. However, the survey, entitled the OECD Economic Survey of Indonesia 2015, stated that there are challenges that need to be met to maintain the country's continue convergence towards higher-income countries.

The survey, presented in Jakarta by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria and Indonesian Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro, highlighted that economic growth has been slowing down in recent years and suggested that accelerating reform process is necessary to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.

Despite a slowdown in 2014 and a challenging international environment, Indonesian GDP growth is projected to reach 5.3 percent in 2015 and 5.9 percent in 2016.

"Indonesia has been through a remarkable transformation, with tens of millions of people lifted out of poverty," Gurría said.

Gurria also presented a new OECD Education Policy Review of Indonesia together with Anies Baswedan, Culture and Elementary and Secondary Education Minister on the same occassion. The Review stated that Indonesia faces a unique window of opportunity: with 43 percent of its 250 million-strong population under the age of 25, the country is already endowed with the human resources necessary to drive growth, as long as its workforce comes equipped with good skills.

Gurria also suggested the Indonesian government to improve education quality by carrying out programs such as teacher training, professional development, and improving accountability. Furthermore, Gurria said that the government should also increae its efforts to optimize its natural resources, including improving the agricultural sector by facilitating farmers with much needed training and financial assitance.

ARK