TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Development Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro has projected the country’s population will reach 311-318.9 million in 2045.

Bambang said according to the results of the 2015 inter-census survey Indonesia’s population structure had changed rapidly.

He explained a changed population structure would affect its consumption patterns and eventually its contribution to the national economic growth.

Bambang added the changed population structure was a good time for Indonesia to transform into a great nation that boasted high, productive population.

Read: Jakarta's, Bandung's Population to Reach 75 Million by 2045

Bambang said the government had formulated two scenarios in response to the estimates, viz. the target number of children for each woman is two children and infant mortality rate would be reduced faster to three percent annually.

“If we let the number of children to tumble, then the total population will be around 311 million. But if we can secure the number of children at two children per family, the population will be around 318.9 million,” Bambang said at the launch of the 2015-2045 Population Inter-census Projection Book at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday, August 24, 2018.

Bambang said accurate data of population projection was the main requirement for the government in making developmental decisions. Indonesia’s last population projection was made based on the 2010 census for the years 2010-2035.

FRISKI RIANA