Discussion on "Technology and an Aging Workforce: Maximize the Gains from Longevity and Long Working Life - Malaysian Case Study"

In discussing the presentation on the “Malaysian Case Study” by Tey Nai Peng, the presenter noted that Malaysia should seize the opportunity to strengthen its social protection program while the country’s first demographic dividend is positive. He further states that the second dividend can be brought about if consumers and policymakers respond effectively to impending demographic changes through the development of an old-age support system that substitutes capital for transfer wealth.

Technology and an Aging Workforce: Maximize the Gains from Longevity and Long Working Life – Malaysian Case Study

In this presentation, the author gave an overview of the economic progress, social development, and demographic transition in Malaysia. He also discussed the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020), which gives emphasis on increasing productivity through workforce skill development, innovation and ICT, and the adoption of modern technology.

Discussion on “Untapped Work Capacity Among Old Persons and Their Potential Contributions to the 'Silver Demographic Dividend' in Japan"

In discussing the presentation on "Untapped work capacity among old persons and their potential contributions to the ‘silver demographic dividend' in Japan" by Rikiya Matsukura, the presenter noted that the Japanese experience in tackling the issues of population aging provides valuable lessons to other developing countries which are experiencing rapid population aging.

Untapped Work Capacity Among Old Persons and Their Potential Contributions to the 'Silver Demographic Dividend' in Japan

In this presentation, the authors have measured the untapped work capacity of old persons, using the microdata gathered in the Japanese Study of Aging and Retirement (JSTAR), a longitudinal survey carried out on subjects aged 50–75. Their results show that the volume of untapped work capacity of the Japanese elderly aged 60–79 is vast, amounting to more than 11 million workers at present. The authors have also explored whether or not the use of untapped work capacity of old persons could affect the well-being of workers in other age groups.​

Discussion on “Nonlinear Effects of Population Aging on Economic Growth”

In discussing the presentation on “Nonlinear Effects of Population Aging on Economic Growth”
presented by Hyun-Hoon Lee, the presenter noted that in principle, population aging may affect growth through labor supply, capital accumulation, and productivity. He also noted that the empirical evidence for nonlinearity in the relationship between growth and aging seems weak, and that here is a one-on-one relationship between the elderly and the working-age shares after controlling for the youth population share.

Nonlinear Effects of Population Aging on Economic Growth

Using the panel data consisting of 142 countries for the period between 1960 and 2014, the authors assessed the nonlinear effects of population aging on economic growth. They found that population aging negatively affects economic growth only when it reaches a certain high level and its negative effects grow stronger as population aging deepens. They also underscored that population aging has hampered economic growth, during the period of more recent years, especially in developed countries where population aging is quite advanced.

Junsen Zhang

Prof. Zhang is currently Wei Lun Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His research has focused on the economics of family behavior, including crime, fertility, marriage, education, intergenerational transfers, marital transfers, gender bias, and old-age support. He also works on family-related macro issues, such as aging, social security, and economic growth.