This study aims to identify the factors influencing the productivity and employability of general and vocational high school graduates in Bali Province, Indonesia. Specifically, the study evaluates the role of education, health, and socio-economic characteristics in supporting the labor productivity outcomes.
A quantitative approach combining macro and micro level analyses was adopted. The macro analysis utilised aggregated panel data from the Indonesian National Labour Force Survey (Sakernas) for the period 2019–2023 across nine districts/cities in Bali. The micro analysis employed individual-level Sakernas data for the same period. Panel regression models were used to examine the determinants of productivity at the regional level, while binary logistic regression models were applied to analyse individual employment outcomes.
The macro-level results indicate that life expectancy and regional education expenditure have significant positive effects on labour productivity, while a higher proportion of vocational high school graduates is negatively associated with regional productivity levels. At the micro level, vocational high school graduates show higher productivity-related outcomes than general high school graduates, although no statistically significant differences are found in employment probability. The results also reveal notable gender disparities and urban–rural differences in labour productivity outcomes.
The findings highlight the importance of improving the quality and labour market relevance of vocational education, strengthening human capital investments in education and health, and addressing structural gender and spatial inequalities in labour productivity.
This study contributes by combining macro- and micro-level empirical evidence to examine the school-to-work transition in a regional context. It provides a comprehensive understanding of how education, health, and socio-economic structures influence productivity and employability, with policy relevance for both local and national stakeholders.
