Demographic changes in Asia and the Pacific
region are occurring at unforeseen rates. An explosion in the working age
population and a fall in birth rates - changes that are expected to take a
century in Europe and North America - could occur here in just 30 years.
If
countries do not start planning for the demographic change, they will miss out
on opportunities to boost growth and investment in the future, said Bakhodir
Burkhanov, United Nations Development Programme Deputy Country Director in Việt
Nam, at the launch of the 2016 Asia-Pacific Regional Development Report
yesterday.
The
report, entitled “Shaping the future: How changing demographics can power human
development”, found that Asia-Pacific countries now have more working-aged
people and fewer dependents than at any other point in history, providing a
springboard for growth.
About 68
per cent of the region’s population is at working age, and only 32 per cent are
dependents.
“When
countries have a greater share of people who can work, save and pay taxes, they
have the potential to transform their economies and power investment in health
care, education and other building blocks of future prosperity,” said Thangavel
Palanivel, lead author of the report.
The
report called for an immediate response and outlined actions for sustainable development.
As Việt
Nam is at the end of the middle stage of transitioning to an ageing
demographic, the country’s biggest challenge is to capitalise on its remaining
demographic dividends and prepare for the demands of an ageing population,
experts at the meeting said.
Richard
Marshall, Policy Advisor for the UNDP, said Việt Nam should focus on improving
productivity and creating quality work.
He
suggested that the country mobilise savings, invest in productive sectors and
ensure gender equity within labour market.
It is
necessary for the Vietnamese Government to accelerate social protection reform,
especially pensions, he said.
He
advised the Government to focus not only on technology transfer, but also wider
education, skills training and health care reforms.
Dr Nguyễn
Quang, Programme Manager of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in
Việt Nam, said despite the fact that urbanisation was considered low in Việt
Nam compared with other countries in the region, much attention should be paid
to the management of cities.
Once
cities are well-managed, it would be a great source for the country’s
development, bringing about high production values and productivity as well as
more employment, he said.
Although
the country is benefiting from the “golden age” population, it will last a
short period of time. Therefore, Việt Nam should prepare for an ageing
population. The country should invest more in healthcare and education, and
create jobs for young people, he said.
Quang
also emphasised the need to take advantage of senior citizens’ knowledge for
research activities and consultancy related to policy making programmes. Senior
citizens should be encouraged to associate their activities with recreation and
the community, he said.
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