The World Bank’s recently released report “Live Long and Prosper: Aging in East Asia and Pacific” finds that 36 percent of the world’s population ages 65 and over, or 211 million people, live in East Asia, the largest share among all regions. According to the Report, which also reflects Japanese experience, East Asia is aging faster than any other region in history, and some middle-income and wealthier economies could lose as much as 15 percent of their working-age population by 2040. The report examines how aging may affect the drivers of economic growth in the region, as well as patterns of public spending. It reviews current policies and provides recommendations on how countries with diverse demographics can address challenges in the labor market, social security systems, and health and long-term care.
The seminar was opened by Yasusuke Tsukagoshi, Special Representative, Japan, World Bank, delivering his opening remarks. World Bank Vice President Mr. Axel van Trotsenburg spoke about the region’s challenges especially featuring those posed by the demographic trend, some of the policy recommendations, and regional economic update, followed by comments by Masahiro Kawai, Project Professor, Graduate School of Public Policies, University of Tokyo.
Program:
Opening remarks:
Yasusuke Tsukagoshi, Special Representative, Japan, World Bank Group
Keynote Speech:
Axel van Trotsenburg, Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Region, World Bank
Presentation Material: Developing East Asia and Pacific: Prospects and Policy Challenges With a Focus on Aging (PDF)
Comments:
Masahiro Kawai, Project Professor, Graduate School of Public Policies, University of Tokyo
❖ The seminar will be web-streamed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dOPhkN4Wxc
Speaker:
 Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Region, World Bank |
Resources
Press Release: Womb-to-Tomb Policies Needed to Tackle Labor Force Decline
Report: Live Long and Prosper: Aging in East Asia and Pacific (PDF)