Nearly every part of society has returned to normal life, but we must remember that the pandemic is not over yet. Moreover, post-pandemic economic recovery has been hampered by the rising world oil prices in the aftermath of the political crisis. Vulnerable groups are often the most affected and are at risk of falling deeper into poverty during a crisis. SMERU has researched the impact of these crises on the socio-economic conditions of the Indonesian people, particularly in relation to poverty and human development. 

In this issue, we highlight some of those research: the effect of the increase in fuel prices in 2022 on poverty and inequality and the impact of lockdowns on household income and consumption. This year, we are also researching the dynamics of inequality in marine protected areas in Indonesia. 

We hope the stories in this issue will inspire you.