The latest SMRC poll finds President Prabowo Subianto’s approval rating at 51.1% in July 2026, down sharply from 81.2% in November 2025. Public concern over the economy drove much of the decline: 49.4% rated economic conditions as "bad" or "very bad," while only 15.7% said the economy was doing well. Rising dissatisfaction with political leadership and law enforcement also contributed. The survey of 749 respondents (July 5–19) has a margin of error of ±3.7%.
Prabowo Approval Drops to 51.1% as Economic Worries Erode Public Support
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto gestures during a ceremony, marking the start of the B50 biodiesel programme, with biodiesel containing 50% diesel fuel made of palm oil in Karawang, West Java province, Indonesia, July 9, 2026. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
A new Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) poll shows Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's overall approval rating fell to 51.1% in July 2026, a sharp decline since November 2025. Respondents cited the country’s economic conditions as the primary reason for lower satisfaction more than a year into his administration.
Poll Findings
The survey, conducted by SMRC and presented by Executive Director Deni Irvani during a livestreamed press briefing, tracked a rapid slide in public approval: 81.2% in November 2025, 66.4% in a late-February to early-March survey, and 51.1% in July. Nearly half of respondents (49.4%) described economic conditions as "bad" or "very bad," while only 15.7% said the economy was doing well (down from 40% in November).
"Public perceptions of a deteriorating national economy were the main factor behind the decline in satisfaction with his performance," Deni Irvani said, noting that headline GDP growth figures may not reflect household-level perceptions of prosperity.
Rising dissatisfaction with the political climate and law enforcement also contributed to the drop in popularity. Some 42.8% of respondents rated Prabowo’s handling of the political situation as "bad" or "very bad" (up from 23% in November), and approval of his political performance fell to 13.5% from 35.8%. On law enforcement, 37.6% said conditions were "bad" or "very bad."
Survey Methodology
The poll sampled 749 respondents between July 5 and 19 and carries an estimated margin of error of ±3.7%.
Economic Context and Policy Challenges
Prabowo took office in October 2024 after a decisive election victory, campaigning on promises to curb corruption and boost economic opportunity by raising annual GDP growth from 5% to 8%. This year, however, his administration has contended with a depreciating rupiah, a weak stock market, concerns about fiscal overspending, and questions about the central bank’s independence.
One signature policy, a free-meals programme launched in January 2025, has confronted implementation problems and had its budget cut twice. Despite those reductions, Indonesia’s budget deficit is still projected to widen to about 2.85% of GDP this year.
These economic pressures, coupled with perceived shortcomings on political governance and law enforcement, appear to have eroded the widespread public support the president enjoyed early in his term.
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