General practitioners (GPs) are doctors who provide primary care and treat common health problems. They play an important role in the health system, as they are often the first point of contact for patients and can refer them to specialists if needed. The income of GPs varies widely across countries, depending on factors such as the level of economic development, the health financing system, the supply and demand of doctors, and the regulation and negotiation of fees and salaries.
According to the data from JobStreet, the average salary of a GP in Indonesia was between Rp 5.000.000 and Rp 8.000.000 per month in 2023, which is equivalent to about $350 to $560 per month. This is much lower than the average wage of all workers in Indonesia, which was Rp 13.000.000 per month in 2023, according to SalaryExpert. The low income of GPs in Indonesia may be due to the oversupply of doctors, the lack of social health insurance coverage, the low public spending on health, and the weak regulation and enforcement of fees and salaries.
Compared to surrounding countries, the income of GPs in Indonesia is also lower than most of them. For example, according to World Population Review, the average yearly pay of GPs in China was $116,377, in Japan was $115,092, in Malaysia was $72,000, and in Thailand was $60,000 in 2023. Only the Philippines had a lower average yearly pay of $23,864 for GPs. The income gap between Indonesia and its neighbors may reflect the differences in the level of economic development, the health system performance, and the quality and accessibility of health services.
Compared to the global average, the income of GPs in Indonesia is also much lower than most of the countries. According to the OECD, the average yearly pay of GPs in OECD countries was $146,000 in 2019, which is more than ten times higher than the average yearly pay of GPs in Indonesia. The highest-paying countries for GPs were Switzerland ($388,623), the United States ($316,000), Canada ($194,777), and Germany ($183,000). The lowest-paying countries for GPs were Poland ($52,548), Brazil ($47,000), Russia ($41,383), and Turkey ($8,452). The global income disparity of GPs may indicate the differences in the value and recognition of primary care, the availability and affordability of health services, and the health outcomes and satisfaction of the population.
In conclusion, the income of GPs in Indonesia is low compared to the national average, the surrounding countries, and the global average. This may have negative implications for the motivation and retention of GPs, the quality and efficiency of primary care, and the health status and equity of the people. Therefore, the government and the stakeholders need to take measures to improve the income and working conditions of GPs, such as increasing the public funding and social protection for health, strengthening the regulation and negotiation of fees and salaries, enhancing the training and accreditation of GPs, and promoting the integration and coordination of primary care and specialist care.
Note: I worked as GP in public healthcare facilities around 2014-2022, it was a yearly based contract of Rp 45.000.000,00 (or about USD 2,763.90 today per year or around USD 230 per month). This low income and no-rise-policy contributed to my resignation as primary care doctor before 2023.
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