The Influence of the Education Index, Health Index, and Expenditure Index on Poverty Level Reduction: A Study of Papua Province

Poverty remains a major challenge in Papua Province, despite receiving Special Autonomy Funds for more than two decades. According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) in 2024, Papua recorded the highest poverty rate in Indonesia at 26.03% and the lowest Human Development Index (HDI) score of 63.01. This fact indicates that the substantial budget allocation has not been fully effective in reducing poverty and improving community welfare. This study aims to analyze the influence of the Education Index, Health Index, and Expenditure Index on the Poverty Rate in Papua Province, both partially and simultaneously. The research adopts a quantitative approach using multiple linear regression analysis. Secondary data were obtained from BPS, covering 29 districts and cities in Papua from 2012 to 2023. The variables analyzed include the Education Index, Health Index, Expenditure Index, and Poverty Rate. The results show that all three variables significantly influence the poverty rate. Partially, the Education Index and Expenditure Index have a negative effect, meaning that higher levels of education and purchasing power are associated with lower poverty rates. Meanwhile, the Health Index shows a positive relationship, indicating that improvements in health outcomes have not been fully effective in reducing poverty possibly due to disparities in access and other socioeconomic conditions. Simultaneously, the three variables explain 67.3% of the variance in poverty levels in Papua. Policy recommendations include strengthening skills-based education, enhancing equitable and inclusive healthcare systems, and boosting purchasing power through local economic development and price stabilization. A locally tailored approach is necessary to ensure that poverty reduction efforts in Papua are more effective and sustainable.