Tackling an Aging Asia: A Report on the Asian Impact Dialogue

Demographic shifts are having tremendous impact on societies around the world, making population pyramids heavier at the top and threatening the stability of societal support systems. In late February 2018, public officials and members of nongovernmental groups from around Asia gathered in Singapore to discuss the graying of society, with the focus on what must be done for the increasing ranks of the elderly in the region’s countries. We report on the discussion that took place.

A Response to the “Silver Surge” in Asia
As the world faces unprecedented growth in its elderly population, Asia grapples with an even more rapid expansion of this demographic sector. Asian nations are now looking toward a future of super-aged societies in which over one-fifth of the population is aged 65 and up. In response to this “silver surge,” regional policy and healthcare leaders are now striving to put effective care measures into place.

To give these leaders more theoretical and practical information to build on as they tackle the challenges that lie before them, on February 26–28 in Singapore, the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute held the first Asian Impact Dialogue on Ageing and Demographic Change in Asia. Cohosting this event was the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, which since 2016 has been conducting a project titled “Issues and Implications of Aging Asian Population.”

Read more: Nippon.com