PERSDIGI / social article

26 Categories of Socially Vulnerable Groups (PPKS) You Should Know Early On

Oleh PERSDIGI.COM
Illustration of various socially vulnerable groups in Indonesia receiving support

In Indonesia, especially in the realm of social policy, there's a term called PPKS — short for Pemerlu Pelayanan Kesejahteraan Sosial, or in English: “Persons in Need of Social Welfare Services.” This category includes individuals or groups who are in difficult life circumstances and need assistance, protection, or empowerment from the government and society.

Understanding who falls under PPKS is key — not just for social workers or policymakers, but also for students, community activists, and anyone who wants to contribute to building a more inclusive society.

What Is PPKS Exactly?

PPKS refers to people whose lives are disrupted or vulnerable due to economic, social, physical, or psychological conditions. The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs has officially listed 26 categories of PPKS.

These categories help the government, NGOs, and communities identify who needs help, what kind of help they need, and how to design policies that work in real life — not just on paper.

The 26 Categories of PPKS

Here’s a summarized version of the official list, with some context added :

  1. Abandoned Children (Children with no parents or family support)
  2. Children in Conflict with the Law (Young people facing legal problems)
  3. Children with Disabilities
  4. Children Requiring Special Protection
  5. Children from Poor Families
  6. Neglected Elderly
  7. Persons with Disabilities
  8. Victims of Drug Abuse
  9. People Living with HIV/AIDS
  10. Victims of Human Trafficking
  11. Victims of Domestic Violence
  12. Victims of Social Disasters (Like mass evictions, discrimination, or cultural disintegration)
  13. Victims of Natural Disasters
  14. Poor Individuals and Families
  15. Persons with Mental Illness
  16. People in Remote Indigenous Communities
  17. Socially Vulnerable Women (Including single mothers or women in unsafe environments)
  18. Displaced Persons
  19. Homeless People
  20. Street Children
  21. Begging Individuals
  22. Ex-Convicts
  23. Ex-Drug Users
  24. Ex-Patients of Mental Institutions
  25. People with Risky Behaviors
  26. Victims of Sexual Exploitation

Each of these groups has unique needs. Social policies should be tailored to each, not one-size-fits-all.

Why You Should Care

Understanding PPKS is more than just memorizing categories. It’s about recognizing who’s often left behind in our society — and asking how we can lift them up.

Whether you're a village officer, a volunteer, a policymaker, or a blogger like me, you play a role in shaping public awareness.

What We Can Do

  1. Learn about these groups and don’t stereotype them.
  2. Support local social workers and community initiatives.
  3. Advocate for policies that are inclusive and data-driven.
  4. Use our digital space — blogs, videos, social media — to raise awareness.

Why It Matters in Indonesia

Indonesia is still grappling with inequality. In many rural or urban-poor areas, these vulnerable groups are invisible in public policy. By understanding the PPKS framework, we begin to include them in the national narrative.

It’s not just about charity — it’s about justice and social inclusion.

Let’s not wait for a government program to do all the work. Social change starts when we, as individuals and communities, see the invisible, hear the unheard, and act where others stay silent.

The 26 categories of PPKS are not just government data.

They're real lives, real stories, and real responsibilities.