The Rupiah depreciated by 8.5% and the Balance of Payments showed a deficit of USD 778 million. This contrasts with 2004’s surplus of USD 309 million. The World  BIS Review 1/2006  1  Economic Forum stated that Indonesia’s competitiveness slipped from 69th position in 2004 to 74th in 2005. This position placed Indonesia in a rung lower than Vietnam.
However, despite all the problems, we have to be grateful that our economy was able to maintain a growth of 5.3 – 5.6% in 2005. This growth has helped provide work for only some of those entering the job market and leaving the others adding to the “openly unemployed” statistics.