Educational Perspectives on the #KaburAjaDulu Phenomenon and Youth Social Behavior in Indonesia
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This research investigates the viral #KaburAjaDulu phenomenon in Indonesia as a critical response to socio-economic crises in 2025. Employing digital ethnography and systematic literature review, the study analyzes how legislative shocks, specifically Inpres No. 1/2025, and economic instability drive youth toward migration. Applying Stag Hunt game theory and Bourdieu’s cultural capital, it identifies a "defection equilibrium" where skilled individuals prioritize individual survival over national development due to institutional mistrust. Findings indicate that digital escapism and behaviors such as doom spending serve as precursors to physical migration intentions. The study contends that the current educational framework inadvertently facilitates brain drain by providing portable skills without domestic infrastructure. It proposes a systemic shift toward culturally mediated Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and labor reforms to restore public trust. Ultimately, #KaburAjaDulu serves as a diagnostic indicator for policymakers, highlighting the urgent necessity to transform "escape" into a viable choice through structural and pedagogical strategic enhancements.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
Caroline Hornstein Tomic, Karin Taylor. Youth Unemployment, the Brain Drain and Education Policy in Croatia: A Call for Joining Forces and for New Visions. August 10, 2025, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1177/1478210317751267.
Damayanti, Salsabila, Sughmita Maslacha Amala Solicha, Siti Mas’udah, and Sabri Sulaiman. “Vulnerable and Neglected: Middle Class Exclusion in Indonesia’s Socio- Economic Policy Dynamics.” Masyarakat, Kebudayaan Dan Politik 38, no. 3 (October 2025): 231–46. https://doi.org/10.20473/mkp.V38I32025.231-246.
Desk. “Gen Z in Indonesia and the Global ‘Escape Culture’: Why Many Are Saying #KaburAjaDulu - Saibumi | Uncovering Asia, One Story at a Time.” Gen Z in Indonesia and the Global “Escape Culture”: Why Many Are Saying #KaburAjaDulu. https://saibumi.com/en/gen-z-in-indonesia-and-the-global-escape-culture-why-many-are-saying-kaburajadulu/.
Desk, Editor. “Gen Z in Indonesia and the Global ‘Escape Culture’: Why Many Are Saying #KaburAjaDulu.” Saibumi | Uncovering Asia, One Story at a Time, October 20, 2025. https://saibumi.com/en/gen-z-in-indonesia-and-the-global-escape-culture-why-many-are-saying-kaburajadulu/.
Fachrie, Muhammad, and Herry Wahyudi. “The Dilemmatic Relationship Between Indonesia’s Government and Individuals in the Case of Runaway First or #KaburAjaDulu.” KEMUDI : Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan 10, no. 1 (August 2025): 12–24. https://doi.org/10.31629/kemudi.v10i1.7321.
Fatwa Sari Tetra Dewi, Riris Diana Rachmayanti. “Determinants of Adolescent Resilience Levels in Surabaya City, East Java Province, Indonesia.” Kesmas: Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat Nasional 20, no. 1 (February 2025): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.7454/kesmas.v20i1.1949.
Herman, Herman, Sultan Sultan, Suardi Suardi, Ansari Saleh Ahmar, and Khaeruddin Khaeruddin. “Social Emotional Learning in Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers: The Key Role of Academic Achievement, ICT Competence and Socioeconomic Status.” Cogent Education 12, no. 1 (December 2025): 2586315. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2586315.
Jansen, Wikke. “Engagement and Ethics for Digital Ethnography: Reflections from (Online) Indonesia in Times of COVID-19.” International Quarterly for Asian Studies 55, no. 4 (February 2025): 513–35. https://doi.org/10.11588/IQAS.2024.4.24576.
Liew Zhi Xin. “Why Young Indonesians Want to ‘Run Away’ from the Country, and the Cost of a Brain Drain - CNA.” https://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/indonesian-youth-unemployment-brain-drain-kaburajadulu-run-away-cost-5371406.
Listaunsanti, Lynda Yenie, and Jefri Setyawan. “Parental Bereavement and Academic Resilience in Indonesian Adolescents: Emotion Regulation as Mediator and Social Support as Protective Factor.” Nusantara Journal of Behavioral and Social Science 4, no. 4 (November 2025): 215–24. https://doi.org/10.47679/njbss.202513244.
Mariyani, Devi, Yulia Ayriza, and Elina Listianti Widuri. “Exploring Identity and Emotion: A Phenomenological Study of Self-Diagnosis in Gen Z Women.” Jurnal Psikologi Tabularasa 20, no. 2 (October 2025): 304–16. https://doi.org/10.26905/jpt.v20i2.15948.
Maspul, Kurniawan Arif. “#KaburAjaDulu — Escaping Reality or Redefining Success?” Medium, February 18, 2025. https://dikurniawanarif.medium.com/kaburajadulu-escaping-reality-or-redefining-success-6e4a66111384.
Nasution, Hendri, Sery Harahap, Luthfi Harahap, Anita Adinda, and Hamka. “The Effects Of A Social-Emotional Learning (Sel) Curriculum On Academic Resilience And Prosocial Behavior In High-Poverty Primary Schools At Sdn No.100907 Muara Ampolu I Kecamatan Muara Batangtoru.” Multidisciplinary Indonesian Center Journal (MICJO) 2 (December 2025): 5652–59. https://doi.org/10.62567/micjo.v2i4.1535.
Niman, Erna Mena. “Embedding Local Culture in Social Studies: Pathways to Strengthen Social-Emotional Learning in Primary Education.” Frontiers in Education 10 (October 2025): 1655528. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1655528.
Pandjaitan, Rosmawaty Hilderiah. “The Social Media Marketing Mix Trends in Indonesia for 2024: Communication Perspective.” Jurnal Komunikasi Ikatan Sarjana Komunikasi Indonesia 9, no. 1 (June 2024): 251–69. https://doi.org/10.25008/jkiski.v9i1.1005.
Petreska, Nina, Jana Prodanova, and Ljupco Kocarev. “Should I Leave My Country? Higher Education Value Shaping Students’ Satisfaction and Brain Drain Intentions in Western Balkans.” SAGE Open 13 (November 2023): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231208770.
Purwaningtyas, Mashita Phitaloka Fandia, and Desti Ayu Alicya. “The Fragmented Self: Having Multiple Accounts in Instagram Usage Practice among Indonesian Youth.” Jurnal Media Dan Komunikasi Indonesia 1, no. 2 (September 2020): 171–81. https://doi.org/10.22146/jmki.58459.
Romli, Faiz, Ellen Prima, and Abu Dharin. “Social-Emotional Learning Programs In Elementary Schools: Enhancing Student Competencies And Academic Outcomes.” Jurnal Pendidikan Dasar 13, no. 2 (December 2025): 320–36. https://doi.org/10.46368/jpd.v13i2.4722.
Salma. “UGM Expert: Viral Hashtag #KaburAjaDulu Reflects Youth’s Critical View of Indonesia’s Situation.” Universitas Gadjah Mada, February 21, 2025. https://ugm.ac.id/en/news/ugm-expert-viral-hashtag-kaburajadulu-reflects-youths-critical-view-of-indonesias-situation/.
Sari Sri Handani, Iseu Anggraeni, and Dena Mustika Syifa Vidya Sofwan. “The Role of the Vuca Method in Understanding the Phenomenon of Fomo and Doom Spending among the Younger Generation.” Nasir Al-Kutub Indonesia 2(2) (n.d.): 39–43. https://doi.org/10.59965.
Satria, Budi, Mustanir Mustanir, Rina Suryani Oktari, and Marthoenis Marthoenis. “Gaming Disorder among Adolescent in Indonesia: A Multi-Settings Cross-Sectional Study.” Acta Biomedica Atenei Parmensis 95, no. 5 (October 2024): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v95i5.15826.
Teepapal, Tanawat. Uncovering Intent: Reassessing The Role Of Motive In The Punishment Of Premeditated Murder In Indonesia. 3 (2025): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.56107/penalaw.v3i1.223.
UMS. “The Brain Drain Effect of #KaburAjaDulu.” https://www.ums.ac.id/en/news/global-pulse/the-brain-drain-effect-of.
Vega-Muñoz, Alejandro, Paloma Gónzalez-Gómez-del-Miño, and Juan Felipe Espinosa-Cristia. “Recognizing New Trends in Brain Drain Studies in the Framework of Global Sustainability.” Sustainability 13, no. 6 (January 2021): 3195. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063195.
WikiPEdia. “KaburAjaDulu.” In Wikipedia bahasa Indonesia, ensiklopedia bebas. December 28, 2025. https://id.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=KaburAjaDulu&oldid=28749040.