Indonesia's 'sandwich generation' strain deepens as women trade health for family security

A new study by Sun Life has cast a spotlight on the growing pressures facing Indonesian women ahead of Kartini Day, revealing a pattern of personal sacrifice that continues to shape financial behaviours across households.

Despite their increasingly central role in managing family finances, many women are deprioritising their own health and long-term financial security. The survey found that 57% of Indonesian women have postponed or ignored medical care in order to support children or ageing parents, underscoring a persistent trade-off between caregiving and self-care.

Financial compromises are also widespread. Around 82% of respondents reported cutting back on personal leisure spending, while 30% limited investment opportunities and 28% delayed retirement savings. At the same time, 51% identified high healthcare costs as one of the top three barriers to achieving financial security – signalling a structural challenge that continues to weigh heavily on household decision-making.

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“Ahead of Kartini Day, these findings remind us that many resilient women in Indonesia willingly make sacrifices without being asked. In caring for their families, women often give up their health, sense of security, and their own financial plans. This role deserves recognition and respect, and should be supported with solutions and guidance that enable women to continue prioritising their families without having to set aside their own future,” said Albertus Wiroyo, president director of Sun Life Indonesia.

The findings also highlight the entrenched reality of Indonesia’s “sandwich generation”. While 96% of women expect to support elderly parents either now or in the future, only 26% have set aside at least 10% of their income for this purpose. This gap is contributing to what the report describes as a “triple penalty” linked to caregiving responsibilities: 59% say it limits their ability to build financial security, while 47% report impacts on both career progression and personal wellbeing.

Paradoxically, women are also emerging as the primary financial decision-makers within households. Some 62% of respondents said they have the final say in family financial decisions, rising sharply to 92% among those who are the main breadwinners. Yet professional financial guidance remains underutilised, with just 13% actively engaging financial advisers.

Long-term financial confidence also appears fragile. While 63% of Indonesian women believe they are in a better financial position than their mothers were at the same age, only 19% feel fully prepared to face major unexpected financial events – pointing to a persistent vulnerability despite generational progress.

“The role of Indonesian women today is not only to maintain balance within the family, but also to serve as the frontline behind every household financial decision. Therefore, the presence and support of more relevant, practical, and accessible financial planning are essential. The goal is to ensure women have comprehensive information to support their day-to-day financial decisions, enabling stronger and more sustainable long-term planning,” Wiroyo added.

The research surveyed 3,001 respondents across six Asian markets in January 2026, including Indonesia, offering a regional perspective on how women are navigating financial aspirations and constraints. The findings signal a growing need to design more accessible, practical solutions that address not only wealth accumulation, but also the complex realities of caregiving and intergenerational support shaping modern financial lives.

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