Below-replacement fertility in east and southeast asia: Consequences and policy responses |
| |
Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Bhakta?B?GubhajuEmail author Yoshie?Moriki-Durand |
| |
Institution: | (1) Social Issues Division, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, United Nations Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, 10200 Bangkok, Thailand |
| |
Abstract: | Fourteen countries in Asia have total fertility rates at or below replacement level. This is more pronounced in China, Japan,
the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand. The implications are far-reaching and profound as they affect the age structure
of the population, giving rise to population ageing, labour force shortages, increased elderly dependency ratios and feminization
of the aged population. Evidence from European countries suggests that although fertility may rebound, in most countries it
is highly unlikely that fertility will recover sufficiently to reach replacement level in the near future. Mortality reduction
will continue to be an overriding policy goal, which would further enhance the ageing process. Therefore, the greatest challenge
will be to pension systems, old-age care systems, and health systems or health insurance. This paper first examines the fertility
transition in five low-fertility countries. It then discusses the policy measures that these countries have adopted in response
to low fertility and population ageing. The paper concludes with the policy implications for healthcare, social care, income
security and caregiving facility, and the scope for further study. |
| |
Keywords: | ageing Asia below-replacement fertility health policy labour shortage old age benefits pension schemes population policy retirement social welfare |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|