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.
Author(s): Subas Dhakal, Alan Nankervis, John Burgess
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 258
City: Singapore
Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
About the Contributors
Part I: Context and Setting the Scene
Chapter 1: Population Ageing: Challenges in the Asia Pacific and Beyond
1.1 Introduction
1.2 The Purpose of the Book
1.3 Research Methods and Limitations
1.4 Measures of Ageing
1.5 Ageing and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
1.6 Key Challenges & Policy Implications
1.7 The Organisation of the Book
Appendix
References
Chapter 2: Addressing the Challenges of Ageing: A Global Perspective on Policies and Practices
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Challenges of an Ageing Population
2.3 Recommendations and Programs from International Agencies that Address the Challenges of Ageing
2.3.1 The World Health Organisation (WHO) – Healthy Ageing
2.3.2 The United Nations: Ageing with Dignity and Security
2.3.3 The ILO: Rights at Work and a Decent Work Agenda
2.4 Selective Examples of Innovative Policies and Programs to Address Population Ageing
2.4.1 Social, Health and Technology Integration to Extend Working Lives in Japan
2.4.2 Collaboration for Quality of Life in Canada
2.4.3 The Use of IT in a Digital Literate Ageing Population, Germany and Denmark
2.4.4 Spain’s Policies Targeting Older Workers
2.5 Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: A Bibliometric Analysis of Ageing Literature: Global and Asia-Pacific Trends
3.1 Introduction
3.2 The Bibliometric Analysis Approach
3.3 Key Findings
3.3.1 Global Focus
3.3.1.1 Trend of Research on Ageing (2011–2020)
3.3.1.2 Top Outlets
3.3.1.3 Research Focus (Co-occurrence of Keywords Analysis)
3.3.1.4 Influential Countries and Collaboration Linkages
3.3.2 Asia Pacific Focus
3.3.2.1 Number of Aged Related Articles by Countries Included in this Volume
3.3.2.2 Prominent Institutions in the Region
3.3.2.3 Prominent Researchers and Research Themes of the Region
3.4 Discussions and Conclusion
3.4.1 Emerging Topics
3.4.2 Collaboration Between Developed and Developing Countries
3.4.3 Forgotten Regions
References
Part II: Country Case Studies
Chapter 4: Ageing, Work, Care in Australia: Progress and Prospects in Meeting Sustainable Development Goals of Inclusive Growth and Gender Equality
4.1 Introduction
4.2 The Australian Population and Labour Market – Ageing and Working
4.3 Government Policies
4.3.1 Goal 8 and Employment Policies
4.3.1.1 Standard Employment Conditions
4.3.1.2 Paid Leave Entitlements
4.3.1.3 Unemployment
4.3.2 Goal 10 and Employment Policies
4.3.2.1 Flexibility at Work
4.3.3 Goal 10 and Social Protection Policies
4.3.3.1 Social Protection Programs
4.3.3.2 Job Security
4.3.3.3 Injured or Ill Workers
4.3.3.4 Workers with Disabilities
4.3.3.5 Carers
4.3.4 Goal 10 and Ensuring Equal Opportunity
4.3.4.1 Discrimination
4.4 Recent Research Findings
4.4.1 Goal 8: Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All
4.4.2 Goal 10: Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Outcomes
4.4.2.1 Discrimination
4.4.2.2 Flexibility
4.4.3 COVID-19
4.5 Conclusion
References
Chapter 5: Bridging the Gap in Social Infrastructure for the Ageing Population in Bangladesh
5.1 Introduction
5.2 The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals & Bangladesh
5.3 Country Background
5.4 Social Infrastructure – Hard and Soft
5.5 Methodology
5.6 Findings
5.6.1 Current Status of the Elderly Population
5.7 Current Policies for the Elderly Population
5.8 Non-government Organisation (NGO) Stakeholders Providing Social Infrastructure for the Elderly in Bangladesh
5.9 Analysis of the Gaps in Social Infrastructure for the Aged
5.9.1 Hard Social Infrastructure
5.9.2 Soft Social Infrastructure
5.10 Discussion
5.11 Conclusion
References
Chapter 6: Ageing Population and Sustainable Development: Evidence from China
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Population Ageing in China
6.2.1 Population Ageing Is Accelerating
6.2.2 Characteristics of Ageing Are Becoming Increasingly Prominent
6.2.3 Ageing Expectations
6.3 Impacts of China’s Population Ageing
6.3.1 Increased Pressure on Social Security
6.3.2 Insufficient Labour Supply
6.3.3 The Burden of Pensions Has Increased
6.3.4 The Speed of Scientific and Technological Innovation Has Declined
6.3.5 Decline in Savings, Consumption and Investment
6.4 Policies and Their Effectiveness
6.4.1 Financial Support for Pensions
6.4.2 Social Medical Security
6.4.3 Family Planning Adjustment
6.4.4 Delaying the Retirement Age
6.5 Business, Non-profit & Government Development Strategies
6.5.1 Business-Level Strategies
6.5.1.1 Increasing Financial Support and Developing Ageing Industries
6.5.1.2 Developing the Ageing Labour Market
6.5.2 Non-profit Strategies
6.5.2.1 Promoting Active Ageing and Establishing a Team of Elderly Volunteers
6.5.2.2 Integrating Social Resources and Vigorously Developing Social Enterprises
6.5.3 Government-Led Strategies
6.5.3.1 Establishing a Sustainable Population Development Policy
6.5.3.2 Reforming Social Medical and Pension Insurance
6.5.4 Recommendations
6.5.4.1 Actively Supporting Aged Care Within the Family
6.5.4.2 Actively Guiding the New Path of “smart aged care”
6.5.4.3 Actively Exploring the “Asset Pension” for the Elderly
6.5.4.4 Actively Creating a Liveable and Friendly Living Environment
6.5.4.5 Actively Improving the Social Pension Security System to Ensure Sustainable Economic Growth
6.6 Conclusion
References
Chapter 7: Sustainable Development Goals and Ageing: Status, Challenges, and Strategies for Policy Implications for India
7.1 Introduction
7.2 The Ageing Population in India: Size and Growth, Trends and Challenges
7.2.1 Size and Growth of India’s Ageing Population
7.3 Trends in the Ageing Population in India
7.3.1 Highly Vulnerable Female Population
7.3.2 Lack of Quality Health Care
7.3.3 Social Isolation, Poverty, and Distress
7.3.4 Availability, Accessibility and Affordability of Health Care
7.3.5 Economic Dependency
7.3.6 Changing Living Arrangements
7.4 United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and the Ageing Population: The India Initiative
7.4.1 Methodology
7.4.2 Sustainable Development Goals and Ageing in India
7.5 Indian Initiatives for Ageing Population Vis-à-vis SDG Goals
7.6 Sustainable Development Goals and COVID 19
7.7 Recommended Policy Interventions
7.7.1 Policy Interventions to Promote Healthy and Active Ageing
7.7.2 Policy Intervention to Promote Income and Financial Stability
7.7.3 Policy Intervention to Promote Emotional Wellbeing
7.8 Conclusion
References
Chapter 8: Financial Stability or Instability in their Golden Years: An Analysis of the Financial Preparedness of Malaysians
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Literature Review
8.3 Attitude and Retirement Preparedness
8.4 Financial Knowledge
8.5 Retirement Confidence
8.6 Retirement Goals
8.7 Methodology
8.8 Findings
8.9 The Validity of the Measures
8.10 Discussion and Conclusion
References
Chapter 9: Ageing Population, the Poverty Nexus and Wellbeing of Elderly in Mauritius
9.1 Introduction
9.2 From a Population of Zero to an Ageing Population
9.3 Combating Poverty
9.4 Methodology & Primary Data Collection
9.5 Findings & Discussion
9.5.1 Financial Security
9.5.2 Protection from Abuse
9.5.3 Healthcare
9.5.4 Mobility
9.5.5 Social Connectedness
9.5.6 Social Engagement
9.6 Conclusion
References
Chapter 10: Ageing and Health Agenda for Nepal: Challenges and Policy Responses for Sustainable Development
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Nepal: Country Background in the South Asian Context
10.3 Framework for Examining Ageing and Health Policies
10.4 Research Study Design
10.5 Findings
10.5.1 Commitment to Action on Ageing
10.5.2 Developing Age-Friendly Environments
10.5.3 Aligning Health Systems to the Needs of Older Populations
10.5.4 Developing Sustainable and Equitable Systems for Long-Term Care
10.5.5 Improving Measurement, Monitoring, and Research on Healthy Ageing
10.6 Discussion
10.7 Conclusion
References
Chapter 11: Recalibrating Social Protection for an Ageing Singapore
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Policy Initiatives
11.2.1 Social Protection Initiatives
11.2.2 Fiscal Incentives
11.2.3 Anti-Discrimination Policies
11.2.4 Investments in Re-skilling
11.2.5 Private Sector Initiatives
11.3 Conclusion
References
Chapter 12: Population Ageing and Societal Inequalities: The Case of Taiwan
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Research Approach
12.3 Findings: Societal Inequalities Related to Population Ageing
12.3.1 Nature and Scope of the Pension Systems
12.3.2 Inequality in Pension Rights Due to Restricted Pension Portability
12.3.3 Inequality Across Pension Systems
12.3.4 Private Sector Low-Paid Workers Are at Risk of Going Under the Poverty Line When Retire
12.3.5 Intergenerational Inequality
12.3.6 Gender Inequality
12.4 Discussion and Conclusion
References
Chapter 13: Ageing, Work-Life and Lifestyle: Reflections from Thailand
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Country Context
13.3 Use of Information & Communication Technologies
13.4 Research Approach
13.5 Research Findings
13.6 Article Types
13.7 Study Locations
13.8 Key Topics of the Studies
13.9 Key Research Perspectives
13.10 Past or Future Orientation?
13.11 Generational Differences
13.12 Conclusion
References
Part III: Comparative Analysis and Conclusion
Chapter 14: Comparative Analysis of Countries’ Ageing Challenges & Policies
14.1 Introduction
14.2 The State of Ageing and Development
14.3 The Extent of Ageing
14.4 Key Findings
14.5 Ageing Challenges
14.6 Stakeholder Strategies, Policies and Plans
14.7 The SDGs and the Way Forward?
14.8 Limitations and Further Research
References
