Quality Education
Marriage and fertility dynamics in India
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
26,
pp 21
- 38
(2013)
Oct 2013
Article
It is widely acknowledged that age at marriage has a significant influence on fertility, particularly in the countries where childbearing occurs within marriage. However, the complexities of marriage/fertility relationship are poorly understood, especially during fertility transitions. This paper investigates the complex relationship between marriage and fertility by examining age at marriage, marital fertility and birth interval dynamics in India, using data collected in nationally representative surveys in 1992/1993 and 2005/2006. The decline in fertility during this period could be attributed to changes in marital fertility rather than to changes in marriage age. Women marrying late tend to have shorter first birth interval than women marrying at a younger age. However, the second and higher birth intervals are longer among those marrying late.
The role of labour broker networks in setting the price of working abroad for thai migrant workers
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
28,
pp 51
- 68
(2014)
Aug 2014
Article
The objective of this research was to study the role of labour broker networks in fixing the price for Thai migrants to work abroad. In order to understand the role of these networks, it was necessary to focus on two specific research questions. The first question was how these labour broker networks are formed; and the second question was why, or for what purposes, are these networks being created. Data was collected through in-depth interviews as well as participatory and non-participatory observations with 37 key informants who were labour brokers belonging to legal labour agencies and labour sub-brokers. Key informants were selected by a snowball technique from Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, and Nongkhai. Data analysis was done using the ATLAS.ti program. The study found that the labour broker networks in the north-east of Thailand are loosely established through ties formed via cultural or community activities without any formal organization. In the main, these networks are set up on the basis of personal relationships among members. The rationale behind the establishment of these networks is to maintain personal relationships and to exchange work-related information. The results of the study indicated that the social networks of labour brokers are informal, and that these networks are linked to other networks that exist among labour brokers and sub-brokers forming larger local and regional networks. The costs incurred by Thai migrant workers having recall to the services of labour broker networks forms part of the overall cost of working abroad. Moreover, it was found that in some cases labour sub-brokers had provided loans to Thai labourers to cover the costs of travelling abroad.
Youth and their changing economic roles in Asia
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
27,
pp 61
- 82
(2012)
Dec 2012
Article
The youth population of Asia is in the midst of a remarkable transformation with enormous implications for the future of the region. Rapid population growth of the youth population is beginning to ease and to decline in China and other low fertility Asian countries. An increase in spending on human capital has accompanied the decline in fertility rates, however, so that incoming cohorts of youth will be smaller but much more educated than in the past. The rise in education and other factors have influenced the transition into adulthood for youth. They are staying longer in school and entering the labour force at a later age supported by a combination of public and private transfers. A willingness to invest in youth has been an essential element to realizing the benefits of the demographic dividend in Asia.
Abstracts
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
29,
pp 1
- 3
(2012)
Dec 2012
Article
The current status of civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems in Asia and the Pacific is described in this paper. Civil registration is an administrative system for recording the occurrence and characteristics of vital events (notably births and deaths). It provides individuals with the documentation needed to establish legal identity and family relationships, exercise civil rights, access services and participate in modern societies. In addition, records of vital events from civil registration are a key source of vital statistics on fertility and mortality, and they provide the backbone for efficient public administration.
Reproductive health, including adolescent reproductive health: Progress and challenges in Asia and the Pacific
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
24,
pp 153
- 196
(2009)
Jan 2009
Article
The Plan of Action on Population and Poverty, adopted in Bangkok in December 2002 by the members and associate members of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), recognized that there remained major challenges in the areas of population, sustainable development and poverty; migration; ageing; gender; reproductive health including the need of adolescents; HIV and AIDS; and resource mobilization. They committed themselves to address these issues.
Population and social integration policies in Asia and the Pacific
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
28,
pp 29
- 55
(2014)
Aug 2014
Article
In the present paper, consideration is given to social integration — namely, the extent to which individuals have equal opportunities and rights — in the Asia-Pacific region and how policies can be implemented to achieve this. Although the region is characterized by demographic diversity, there are common challenges across the region as regards enhancing social integration. In order to meet these challenges, rather than just addressing issues of poverty, consideration needs to be given to access to basic services as well as to issues such as stigmatization and discrimination. Population ageing and evolving dependency ratios in the region highlight the need to invest in social protection, which can also act to address social exclusion, such as that faced by children, the unemployed, persons with disabilities and older persons.
Status, decision-making role and expectations of older persons in rural Maharashtra, India
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
26,
pp 3
- 19
(2013)
Oct 2013
Article
In traditional Indian society, older persons were key decision makers while younger generations would tend to comply with their decisions. This tradition has changed in the context of modernization and urbanization. This paper focuses on the status of older persons, their role, their decision-making power and the expectations they have of their children, society and the government. Data for this paper was collected from the rural areas of Amravati district in Maharashtra, using semi-structured interview schedules. A total of 600 respondents, both males and females, were interviewed. A systematic sampling technique was used for data collection. In addition to the issues cited above, the impact of various socio-economic characteristics on decision-making power and status is discussed.
Health status and health-seeking behaviour between interprovincial and intraprovincial rural-to-urban young migrants in Nanjing, China
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
26,
pp 39
- 54
(2013)
Oct 2013
Article
There has been a dramatic increase in interprovincial migration in China because of regional economic disparities. Interprovincial migration has contributed to population redistribution and economic development, however, limited data are available to examine whether the health status of interprovincial migrants differs from that of intraprovincial migrants. Data from 1,842 rural-to-urban temporary migrants aged 18-30 years were analyzed to examine the differences in health status (measured by self-rated health, physical problems, depression), and health-seeking behaviour between these two types of internal migrants. It was found that interprovincial migrants were more likely to report depression symptoms and were less likely to seek formal health-care services than intraprovincial migrants. The findings indicate that specific attention should be given to health promotion and health-care access of interprovincial rural-to-urban migrants.
Some new insights into the demographic transition and changing age structures in the ESCAP region
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
24,
pp 87
- 116
(2009)
Jan 2009
Article
Over the past few decades, the world population has been ageing at a phenomenal pace. Some demographers claim that population ageing in the twentieth century represents a human success story, and that for the first time in the history of mankind, human populations have the luxury of ageing (Kinsella and Velkoff, 2001).
Population dynamics and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
28,
pp 57
- 83
(2014)
Aug 2014
Article
The present paper contains an analysis of the complex links between population dynamics and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific that have developed over the last 20 years. Basic changes in population dynamics in the region since 1990 are first described, followed by an examination of critical issues regarding the links between population dynamics and the three defining dimensions of sustainable development, namely economic growth, social justice and environmental sustainability.
District-level variations in the quality of mortality data in thailand
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
25,
pp 79
- 91
(2011)
Sep 2011
Article
Different studies on variations of cause-specific mortality provide different policy implications and suggestions. Some findings mirror existing health care and services. Costantini and others (2000) concluded that differences in proportions of cancer patients dying at home across 13 provinces in Italy could not be explained by the known determinants, suggesting inappropriate hospital admission in the terminal phase of cancer. A study on geographical variations in breast cancer mortality in older American women by Goodwin and others (2002) suggested ways to improve the quality of breast cancer care. Some studies suggest further research in specific areas.
A turnaround in India’s urbanization
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
27,
pp 23
- 39
(2012)
Dec 2012
Article
In recent years, there has been a change in the thinking of policymakers about urbanization in India. In the Eleventh Five-year Plan (2007-2012) it is argued that urbanization should be seen as a positive factor in overall development, as the urban sector contributes about 65 per cent of GDP. There is also a growing realization that an ambitious goal of 9-10 per cent growth in GDP depends fundamentally upon a vibrant urban sector. As India is implementing the Twelfth Five-year Plan (2012-2017), the urban transition is considered to be one of the major challenges, requiring a massive expansion in urban infrastructure and services. Against this backdrop, the results of the 2011 census assume enormous significance in enhancing understanding of the magnitude, growth and interstate variations in the levels and rate of urbanization. Urbanization has increased faster than had been expected according to the 2011 census. This has reversed the declining rate of urbanization witnessed during the 1980s and 1990s. Also, for the first time since independence, the absolute increase in the urban population was higher than that in the rural population. In this article an attempt has been made to study the trends, patterns and components of urban population growth in the light of the results of the 2011 census.
Demographic transition in Southern Asia: Challenges and opportunities
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
26,
pp 3
- 28
(2013)
Oct 2013
Article
This paper examines fertility and mortality trends in Southern Asia and their consequences for changes in age structure, dependency ratio, population ageing and feminization of the elderly population. It highlights challenges and opportunities brought about by the demographic transition. In particular the paper suggests ways in which countries in Southern Asia can reap the benefits of the “demographic dividend”, which is a one-time “window of opportunity” that countries in the region should fully exploit. This is particularly evident when looking towards future demographic trends in the region in which a number of countries in Southern Asia will need to deal with problems associated with ageing. In preparing for such a future, there is a need to start formulating policies for the elderly today.
Health-care decisions of older persons in India
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
26,
pp 65
- 80
(2013)
Oct 2013
Article
Many older persons in India cannot afford the high cost of health-care and consequently have to forego treatment for their illness. We compared the incidence of illness and health-care decisions of rural and urban persons as well as the outcomes for older persons and younger persons. One of the main findings was that rural persons had a higher incidence of illness and a higher incidence of non-treatment than those in urban areas. The higher incidence of non-treatment in rural areas was mainly due to the shortage of health-care facilities and concerns about the high cost of treatment, reflecting lower income in those areas. Second, analysis for two rural locations indicated that older persons do not always choose the same provider of treatment as younger persons even if it is for the same type of illness. Third, in looking at one urban centre, the study found that older persons had a higher incidence of non-treatment than younger persons. This was mainly because older persons had greater concerns about the costs of treatment, reflecting again their lower levels of income.
Civil registration, human rights, and social protection in Asia and the Pacific
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
29,
pp 75
- 97
(2012)
Dec 2012
Article
In this paper, the impacts of civil registration are examined as they relate to the realization of human rights and access to social protection, using examples from countries in the Asian and Pacific region.
70 years of fertility change in Korea: New estimates from 1916 to 1985
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
3,
pp 29
- 54
(1988)
Apr 1988
Article
Among the countries of Asia, the Republic of Korea presents an outstanding example of rapid and sustained fertility decline. Within the short span of a quarter century, fertility in the Republic of Korea has changed from a level typical of traditional familistic societies to a level resembling that of the more developed countries. Thus, Korean fertility levels and trends and their estimation continue to be of interest because of their implications to other developing countries currently seeking to achieve fertility reductions.
Education and fertility in two Chinese provinces: 1967-1970 to 1979-1982
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
3,
pp 3
- 30
(1988)
Sep 1988
Article
The rapid decline of fertility in China during the 1970s coincided with a rapid rise in the educational attainment of Chinese women. This coincidence raises questions about the role and importance of educational change in China’s fertility decline, which this article attempts to answer.
Contraceptive (In)security in South-East Asia
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
26,
pp 3
- 27
(2013)
Oct 2013
Article
In South-East Asia sexual and reproductive health needs remain substantial and are not adequately met by the current supply of contraceptive products and services. While financial and technical scarcity persists, it is the facilitation of the policy environment and the fulfilment of equity principles in the delivery of contraceptive methods that present the greatest challenges in achieving contraceptive security. A regional advocacy agenda should address the ideological objections to modern contraceptives and to people’s contraceptive choices and ensure that contraceptive security is meant for all and not only for privileged groups and countries.
Population information
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
3,
pp 45
- 45
(1988)
Dec 1988
Article
Information plays a critical role in changing people’s and Governments’ attitudes about population issues. Because information is considered one of the pillars upon which the success of population policies and programmes is based, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) made it a priority area of its population activities since the formation of its Clearing-house and Information Section as part of the Population Division.
The evolution of population policy in Viet Nam
Main Title:
Asia-Pacific Population Journal
27,
pp 41
- 56
(2012)
Dec 2012
Article
Three periods in the evolution of population policy in Viet Nam are documented in this article: its initiation during the 1960s and 1970s; its maturity in the 1980s and 1990s; and its legalization in the 2000s and early 2010s. A framework was used for stakeholder analysis in the sociopolitical context of Viet Nam to analyse interactions between leading state agencies in the development of population policy and their influence on the organizational structure of the population programme. The current tensions in the implementation of the population programme are highlighted, and a new population policy is called for that would be more conducive to addressing broader population and reproductive health issues, in order to respond more effectively to new challenges arising from the socioeconomic and demographic transition of the country.
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