Comparison

Indonesia vs New Zealand

Side-by-side comparison of how these places approach childhood.

At a glance

Indonesia

In Bali, a baby's feet don't touch the ground for 105 days โ€” children join temple ceremonies from infancy.

Across the archipelago's 17,000 islands, childhood rituals vary dramatically โ€” but communal child-rearing and spiritual milestones are universal threads.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, barefoot children are normal everywhere โ€” schools, shops, streets.

Going barefoot reflects a relaxed, outdoors-first culture where children are trusted to explore freely and physical toughness is quietly encouraged from a young age.

Indicators side by side
Under-5 mortality rate
21.4
Indonesia
4.3
New Zealand
per 1,000
Education spending (% of GDP)
3.5%
Indonesia
5.0%
New Zealand
%
Child poverty rate
23.5%
Indonesia
14.0%
New Zealand
%
Corporal punishment
Not fully banned
Indonesia
Banned
New Zealand
Childcare enrollment (0-2)
4%
Indonesia
44%
New Zealand
%
Paid parental leave
13 wk
Indonesia
26 wk
New Zealand
weeks
Child stunting rate
21.6%
Indonesia
n/a
New Zealand
%
Immunization (DPT3)
80%
Indonesia
92%
New Zealand
%
Adolescent birth rate
36.0
Indonesia
14.5
New Zealand
per 1,000
PISA average score
379
Indonesia
501
New Zealand
points
Secondary completion rate
62%
Indonesia
85%
New Zealand
%
Early childhood education enrollment
62%
Indonesia
96%
New Zealand
%
Birth registration rate
77%
Indonesia
100%
New Zealand
%
Child labor rate
7.0%
Indonesia
0%
New Zealand
%
Child benefit spending (% of GDP)
0.2%
Indonesia
2.2%
New Zealand
% of GDP
How they compare
Child independence expectations
Indonesia
New Zealand
Low High
Structured enrichment emphasis
Indonesia
New Zealand
Low High
Risk tolerance in play
Indonesia
New Zealand
Low High
School systems
Centralized national model with religious tracks

Indonesia

A dual-track system: secular schools under the Ministry of Education and Islamic schools (madrasah) under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Both follow a national curriculum. The school day starts at 7 AM and includes character education, religious instruction, and flag ceremonies every Monday.

Anglo-Pacific model

New Zealand

School starts at age 5. The curriculum (Te Marautanga) integrates Maori language and values. Primary runs to year 8, secondary to year 13. Decile-based funding directs resources to lower-income schools.

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โ† Indonesia profile ยท New Zealand profile โ†’