By 2050, the population share of those 65 years old and above in Asia will double from 8.9% to 18.0%, significantly exceeding the 15.9% global average. Adopting technologies and policies that effectively address the health and socioeconomic implications of rapid population aging could support healthier, more educated, and more productive older workers and mitigate the negative impact of demographic change on economic development.

Quality microdata of older persons, such as individual and household data, and the rigorous analysis of it is vital for equipping governments to monitor living conditions as developing Asia’s population ages and make more informed decisions about healthcare, social security, and other social protection measures. Panel surveys, for example, could inform policymakers about changing demographics, health endowments, and the financial status and social conditions of the elderly.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched knowledge and support technical assistance (KSTA 6556-REG Challenges and Opportunities of Population Aging in Asia: Improving Data and Analysis for Healthy and Productive Aging) for addressing challenges and opportunities of population aging in Asia, with a focus on improving data and analysis for healthy and productive aging. The KSTA aims to generate policy-relevant knowledge on population aging by (i) supporting the development of internationally comparable survey-based panel databases on aging in selected Asian countries; and (ii) coordinating comparative and demonstrative studies that help the region’s governments design and reform health, social security, and other aging-related policies.

As part of the KSTA, ADB in collaboration with ADBI and JICA Research Institute organized a 3-day virtual conference on the theme of population aging in developing Asia. Over 135 participants joined the presentation sessions of a total of 17 empirical papers evaluating the health and socioeconomic well-being of older person using household and individual micro datasets.

Download the agenda.

See more about this ADB/ADBI/JICA RI event.