Social Development Working Paper on 'Harnessing the Second Demographic Dividend: Population Ageing and Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific'

This paper explores key trends in population ageing in countries of Asia and the Pacific. It discusses how, through the right mix of institutional arrangements, policy initiatives and behavioural change, governments can address population ageing in order to achieve economic and social gains. The paper notes that, due to changes in the age structure, windows of opportunity might open for countries at different times. In this context, economic and social conditions linked to economic development, social protection investments and the robustness of the enabling environment for ageing well, constitute both prospects and resource constraints within each window of opportunity. The paper ends with conclusions and a series of policy recommendations aimed at managing ageing and ensuring sustained economic growth and greater social equity.