In many countries in Asia, average life expectancy is increasing and birth rates are decreasing due to economic development, improvements in medical technology, and improved living standards. As a result, the birthrate is declining and the population is aging, and an increasing number of countries will become aging societies next to Japan in the future. Below, we will discuss in detail specific examples and backgrounds of Asian countries where the aging process is particularly pronounced and where the arrival of an aging society is expected in the future.
1.China
Current status and predictions of aging
China is the second fastest aging country in Asia after Japan. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, as of 2020, the proportion of elderly people aged 65 and over in China’s total population was approximately 13.5%, and is expected to continue to increase rapidly as the total population growth slows. Furthermore, since China’s total population exceeds 1.4 billion, the absolute number of elderly people is also extremely large, and it is predicted that the elderly population will exceed 400 million by 2035.
Background and issues
China’s aging population is largely influenced by the long-standing one-child policy and improvements in medical technology that have accompanied rapid economic development. Although the one-child policy succeeded in suppressing population growth, it led to a decline in the birth rate, resulting in a decline in the number of young people. On the other hand, the aging population is increasing due to the increase in average life expectancy, and the age structure of the population is rapidly changing.
In China, there is a strong traditional view of the family in which the family takes care of the elderly, but as the population moves to urban areas and the number of nuclear families increases, it is becoming more difficult to provide care within the home. Because the development of welfare for the elderly is lagging behind, it is expected that in the future, Japan will face the same problems as Japan, such as a shortage of nursing care facilities and the sustainability of the social security system.
2.Korea
Current status and predictions of aging
South Korea is also one of the countries in Asia with a rapidly aging population. According to the Korea Statistical Office, as of 2021, the population aged 65 and over has reached 16.5% of the total population, and is predicted to exceed 20% in 2025, making the country a super-aging society. South Korea’s population is aging at a very rapid pace, with the country’s birthrate declining and average life expectancy increasing at the same time.
Background and issues
In South Korea, economic growth since the 1970s has improved medical care and the living environment, and the average life expectancy has increased significantly. However, due to rapid economic development and urbanization, the birth rate has declined significantly. In 2018, South Korea’s total fertility rate was 0.98, the lowest in the world, and the decline in the young population is noticeable.
In South Korea, like in Japan, there is a deep-rooted culture that emphasizes family ties, but in modern times, the number of dual-income families is increasing, making it difficult to care for the elderly at home. The government is working to improve welfare policies and pension systems for the elderly, but it faces many challenges, including securing financial resources for welfare for the elderly, dealing with labor shortages, and developing caregiving personnel.
3.Singapore
Current status and predictions of aging
Singapore is also one of the countries in Asia with an aging population, and as of 2020, the proportion of people aged 65 or older was approximately 15.2% of the total population. By 2030, this proportion is expected to exceed 25%, and one in four people will be elderly. Singapore’s population is rapidly aging due to a decline in birth rates and an increase in average life expectancy.
Background and issues
The background to Singapore’s aging population is high economic development, urbanization, and improvements in educational standards. These factors are causing more women to enter the workforce, leading to later marriages and fewer birthrates. Singapore’s birth rate is below 1.1, and there is a noticeable decline in the young population.
In response to the aging population, the government is implementing comprehensive welfare policies for the elderly, including a long-term care insurance system, housing policies for the elderly, and enhancement of medical services. However, it is necessary to take measures to deal with the increased burden of medical expenses and pensions due to the increase in the number of elderly people, as well as the labor shortage. In particular, the enhancement of nursing care services and the development of nursing care personnel are major issues.
4.Thailand
Current status and predictions of aging
Thailand is one of the countries in Southeast Asia where the aging of the population is particularly noticeable. As of 2020, the population aged 65 and over has reached approximately 13% of the total population, and is predicted to exceed 20% by 2025. In Thailand, the average life expectancy is increasing due to economic growth, but the birth rate is decreasing, and the aging of the population is accelerating.
Background and issues
Behind Thailand’s aging population are improvements in medical and sanitary environments due to economic development, and progress in urbanization. Particularly in urban areas, women are entering the workforce more and more, leading to later marriages and fewer birthrates. Additionally, as nuclear families become more popular, the traditional culture of families caring for the elderly is changing.
The Thai government is working to expand welfare for the elderly, improve the pension system, and develop nursing care personnel, but many issues remain, including an underdeveloped social security system, problems securing financial resources, and a lack of medical and nursing care services. In particular, there is a serious shortage of nursing care facilities in rural areas, and there is a need to develop a system for future elderly care.
5.Vietnam
Current status and predictions of aging
Vietnam is also attracting attention as a country with a rapidly aging population. As of 2020, the population aged 65 and over was only about 8% of the total population, but it is predicted to exceed 14% in 2030 and reach 20% in 2040. Vietnam used to have a relatively young population among Southeast Asian countries, but the population is rapidly aging due to economic development in recent years.
Background and issues
The background of Vietnam’s aging population is economic development, improvements in medical technology, and population control policies. Since the 1980s, birth rate control policies have been introduced, and the birth rate has continued to decline. On the other hand, improvements in the medical environment have increased the average lifespan, resulting in an increase in the elderly population.
In Vietnam, there is a traditional culture in which families are responsible for the care of the elderly, but nuclear families are becoming more common, especially in urban areas, and the future of elderly care has become a major issue. The government is focusing on developing welfare policies for the elderly, reforming the pension system, and training human resources for nursing care. There is an urgent need to build a foundation for this.
Summary
As mentioned above, in Asia, countries such as China, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are predicted to become the next aging societies after Japan. Although each of these countries has different backgrounds and cultures, they are facing challenges such as declining birthrates, aging populations, and care for the elderly. In the future, each country will need to draw on Japan’s experience to develop welfare policies for the elderly that are suitable for their own countries, such as improving social security systems, developing nursing care personnel, and enhancing medical and nursing care services.