Optimalisasi Desentralisasi Fiskal dalam Mengurangi Tingkat Pengangguran di Daerah Tertinggal

Abstract

Structural unemployment remains a major development challenge in Indonesia's lagging regions due to inadequate infrastructure, low human capital quality, and limited productive investment. Within the framework of regional autonomy, fiscal decentralization is expected to serve as an instrument for job creation and equitable development. This study aims to analyze the optimization of fiscal decentralization in reducing unemployment in lagging regions. The research employs a qualitative descriptive approach using a systematic literature review of relevant academic journals, government reports, and empirical studies. The findings reveal that the effectiveness of fiscal decentralization in reducing unemployment is determined not only by the amount of fiscal transfers but also by the quality of governance, institutional capacity, and the allocation of expenditures toward productive sectors. The ineffectiveness of transfer fund management is largely influenced by the dominance of routine expenditures, weak labor market data-based planning, and limited multi-stakeholder collaboration. This study identifies five key optimization strategies: labor market data-driven planning, labor-intensive programs and vocational training, community-based rural economic development, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and strengthened institutional capacity and governance. Case studies from Bojonegoro, Kulon Progo, and Tanah Datar demonstrate that policy innovation and the utilization of local potential can enhance the effectiveness of fiscal decentralization in creating employment opportunities. Therefore, productive and accountable fiscal decentralization has significant potential to reduce unemployment and promote inclusive development in lagging regions.