AGING

The Japanese experience in addressing the issue of population is definitely a success story for achieving the stabilisation of population. However, measures against the declining birth rate and aging society have become an urgent necessity in Japan. The major concerns of lower fertility is a downturn in the economy as a result of labour shortages and a decline in consumer numbers, and the collapse of the pension system as it is strained with a smaller workforce against a larger number of elderly relying on pensions. The problems around a declining birth rate were predicted almost 30 years ago and inevitably occur with the advancement of demographic transition from high fertility/high mortality to low fertility/low mortality. Japan is currently the most rapidly aging society in the world. However, aging in China will take place at twice this speed in the near future. Leadership in China, like Japan 30 years ago, needs to implement plans to support a large elderly population.

Despite many fears and concerns of governments as their population growth slows or even begins to decline, there is potential for the depopulating society. First of all, the chances that the society will collapse due to overpopulation and resource depletion are lessoned. Secondly, the burden of a large population on the environment and resources and risks of food security/water shortages will be reduced. And thirdly, there will be more assets and resources available per capita, with the potential for living standards to improve for the stabilised population as it develops.