Pengelompokan Kabupaten/Kota Di Provinsi Sumatera Utara Berdasarkan Indikator Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Menggunakan Metode Cluster Analysis

Abstract

High economic growth not only serves as a means to achieve prosperity but also acts as an important indicator of the success of development in a region. This study aims to classify regencies/cities in North Sumatra Province based on economic growth indicators. The data analysis methods used in this study are descriptive analysis to describe data characteristics and average linkage analysis (average distance between groups method) to classify regencies/cities into three economic growth clusters: low, medium, and high. The results of the study show the formation of three optimal clusters in the grouping based on economic growth indicators in North Sumatra Province according to regency/cities in 2024. Cluster 1 consists of four regencies/cities, namely North Nias Regency, West Nias Regency, Nias Regency, and South Nias Regency. Cluster 2 consists of 28 regencies/cities, namely North Tapanuli Regency, Toba Regency, Dairi Regency, West Pakpak Regency, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, Samosir Regency, Karo Regency, Binjai City, Padang Sidempuan City, Pematang Siantar City, North Padang Lawas Regency, Padang Lawas Regency, South Tapanuli Regency, Serdang Bedagai Regency, Asahan Regency, Simalungun Regency, Langkat Regency, Sibolga City, Tanjungbalai City, Labuhanbatu Regency, Mandailing Natal Regency, Batu Bara Regency, North Labuhanbatu Regency, South Labuhanbatu Regency, Central Tapanuli Regency, Tebing Tinggi City, Gunung Sitoli City, and Deli Serdang Regency. Cluster 3 consists of 1 regency/city, namely Medan City. In designing economic policies for regional development in North Sumatra Province, the regencies/cities in Cluster 1 can be prioritized, as they generally have poor or low economic growth rates.