RURAL - URBAN DISPARITIES IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ACCESS IN INDONESIA: EVIDENCE FROM SUSENAS HOUSEHOLD DATA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15408/jko.v6i2.46031Keywords:
digital access disparity, rural, urban, SUSENASAbstract
This study analyzes disparities in digital technology access between rural and urban households in Indonesia using data from the National Socioeconomic Survey (SUSENAS). The research focuses on the role of household head education in shaping internet access and investigates whether this effect differs by geographic location. A binary logistic regression model is applied, incorporating an interaction term between rural and urban, also educational attainment, alongside key household socio-economic variables such as income, employment status, household size, and age. Findings reveal a persistent digital divide, with rural households significantly less likely to have internet access than their urban counterparts. Higher education levels are associated with greater digital access, but the effect is notably weaker in rural areas, suggesting that structural barriers may limit the benefits of education in these contexts. Formal employment and smaller household size are also positively associated with digital access, while older age and informal employment reduce the likelihood of connectivity. A gender-disaggregated analysis shows that female-headed households face additional disadvantages, particularly in rural areas, where gender and spatial inequalities intersect. These results highlight the need for inclusive digital development strategies that consider geographic and gender-based disparities.
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