Addressing The Challenges Of Population Ageing In Asia And The Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region is undergoing profound and rapid population changes. All countries in Asia and the Pacific are in the process of ageing at an unprecedented pace, although the timing and pace of this transition varies across the region. The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) is the global guiding document on population ageing, and with its round of third review and appraisal, this publication explores the progress made by countries in implementing MIPAA, addressing the challenges and issues faced by different countries.

Governments are increasingly recognizing that population ageing is already a challenge to achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development due to the profound impacts this demographic phenomenon has on the well-being of all generations. This publication argues that with effective policies, population ageing can herald a period of sustained progress. The growing population of older persons will benefit from investments in health care and education and from adequate and sustainable social security systems. With productive employment and the promotion of savings and investments, population ageing can be accompanied by robust economic growth.

This book demonstrates that there are wide-ranging potential challenges in addressing issues associated with ageing populations in both developed and developing countries of the region. This book brings together local, national and regional perspectives on the ageing population and sustainable development nexus in selected countries in the Asia Pacific region. The countries selected in this book include a mix of developed and developing economies that all reflect strong trade, investment and migration linkages. While the Asia Pacific region is forecast to enjoy high growth in the coming decade, a recurring common policy challenge is addressing the ‘demographic time bomb’ posed by ageing populations and workforces (Montague et al., 2017). Consequently, this book focuses on strategic policies and practices of multiple stakeholders, primarily: governments, industry and education systems, together with, the range of aged care services providers – in more effectively addressing these key socio-economic challenges associated with the ageing population for sustainable development.

In the coming decades, challenges and risks associated with rapid population ageing will be paramount in Asia-Pacific. Examining key trends, dilemmas and developments with reference to specific nations, the book draws conclusions and policy recommendations that apply to Asia-Pacific as a whole. Individual chapters focus on the impact of population ageing, along with urbanization and industrialization, on the lives of people in the region. The book shows how leaders in Asia-Pacific – political, community and others – need to respond to changes in family and social structures, disease pathology, gender roles, income security, the care of older citizens and the provision of social and health welfare.

It is estimated that the number of people aged 60 years and over in Asia as a whole will more than double from 322 million in 2000 to about 700 million in the year 2025, a figure which is likely to account for nearly 15 per cent of the population. This report examines the major socio-economic implications of population ageing in Asia and the Pacific region, and considers case studies of approaches adopted in Australia, India and Singapore to address the policy challenges arising from population ageing.

First Published in 2004. The Asia-Pacific region is now clearly witnessing the rapid ageing of many of its nations and Asia is already the region with, relatively, the largest number of older persons. This book focuses on the challenges that this demographic trend poses to economies and societies in the region, and the policies that have evolved to date to meet new demands. It looks forward over the coming decades to consider how societies and economies will deal with ageing and the necessary structural and behavioural changes that this will entail. The book is organized into two main sections. The first introduces the key features, demography, research and long-term care issues of the region, and provides region-wide context and analysis. The second section offers in-depth case studies of thirteen countries, including China, Japan, Korea and Indonesia. As well as providing a wealth of original research material, the book also offers valuable comparative analysis: while the larger economies have had to develop policies to maintain their social and economic successes in the face of demographic ageing, developing countries must find ways to build their economies around an ageing population. With contributors drawn from a range of academic and professional disciplines, including many practising social gerontologists, this book will be of interest to scholars in economics, sociology, social policy, health policy, politics and development studies. With its particular emphasis on the future, it will also be an essential reference for anybody with a professional interest in policy-making in the region.

The case studies in this book focus on the emergence, extent and nature of national policies on ageing and associated strategies to address long-term care needs. Key opportunities for and constraints on policy are identified in this first round of regional studies.

Aging is a challenge which countries in East Asia and Pacific (EAP) regions are grappling with or will soon confront. It raises many questions for policymakers ranging from potential macroeconomic impacts, to fiscal challenges of supporting pension, health and long-term care systems, and labor market implications as countries seek to promote productive aging. The urgency of the aging challenge varies across the region, but it will confront all EAP countries in time and early preparation is essential to avoid the missteps of other regions. Live Long and Prosper discusses the societal and public policy challenges and reform options for EAP countries as they address aging. It aims to strike a balance between aging optimists and pessimists. On the one hand, the impacts of aging on growth, labor markets and public spending are not the unavoidable catastrophe often feared. However, minimizing the downside risks of aging and ensuring healthy and productive aging will require proactive public policy, political leadership, and new mindsets across society. The report reviews the evidence on demographic transition in EAP and its potential macroeconomic impact. It addresses the current policy environment including pensions and social security, health, and long-term care and labor markets to assess the risks of 'business as usual'. It also suggests policy directions to promote healthy and productive aging in EAP, and emphasizes that aging is not just about older people, but requires policy and behavioral change across the life cycle.