Research Project (Ongoing)

Indonesia’s New Free Nutritious Meal Program: Fiscal Sustainability, Economic Impacts and Challenges

Indonesia’s Prabowo administration started an ambitious Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG-Makan Bergizi Gratis) in January 2025. By covering not only students but also pregnant women and nursing mothers, the policy is designed to improve nutritional outcomes of the students, infants, toddlers, pregnant women and nursing mothers, combat stunting, boost academic performance, and contribute to poverty reduction.

The MBG program comes with a high price tag: over 13.5% of the national budget. There are experts who express concerns over its fiscal sustainability and some point out that, although the projected economic impacts of the program are highly promising—including job creation and poverty reduction— these estimates rest on optimistic assumptions. Furthermore, Indonesia’s archipelagic geography presents logistical challenges in ensuring the safe, equitable and smooth distribution of nutritious meals across the nation.

Against this background, based on evidence-based insights, simulation of realistic policy scenarios, and the analysis of Japan’s school lunch system, this study aims to assess the fiscal sustainability and economic impacts of MBG, investigate challenges, and generate recommendations that may contribute to a sustainable and smooth implementation of the program.