Stunting Reduction in Indonesia: Policy Milestones (2018-2025) and Program Implementation Outcomes (2018-2024)-A Structured Desk Review

Stunting remains a major public health challenge and a national development priority in Indonesia. Since 2018, the government has implemented multisectoral policies and integrated intervention programs to accelerate stunting reduction. This study aims to analyze the development of national stunting reduction policies and their implementation in Indonesia from 2018 to 2025.

This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach using a desk review of national policy documents and reports published between 2018 and 2025. Sources included presidential regulations, national strategies, ministerial reports, and official publications. Data were analyzed through thematic synthesis to identify policy developments, program implementation, achievements, and challenges.

The findings indicate substantial but uneven progress in strengthening policy frameworks, institutional coordination, and intervention coverage. National stunting prevalence declined from 30.8% in 2018 to 19.8% in 2024. Key policy milestones included the National Strategy for the Acceleration of Stunting Prevention (2018) and Presidential Regulation No. 72/2021, which institutionalized multisectoral convergence. However, several indicators, such as iron-folic acid supplementation and adolescent nutrition programs, showed declining or suboptimal performance. Regional disparities, fragmented data systems, and uneven local capacity remain significant challenges.

The findings suggest that Indonesia’s multisectoral policy approach has coincided with measurable progress in reducing stunting prevalence, although a direct causal contribution cannot be established from document analysis alone. Persistent disparities in implementation capacity, monitoring systems, and regional resource allocation continue to limit the equitable effectiveness of programs across provinces.

Indonesia has made notable progress in reducing stunting through strengthened policies and multisectoral approaches. However, the national target of 14% by 2024 has not yet been achieved. Strengthening local capacity, improving data integration, and enhancing community-based and behavior change interventions are essential to accelerate progress and ensure sustainable outcomes.