Selected social development issues

The human factor plays a critical role in the development process, for it is the people who are the agents and intended beneficiaries of economic growth. Effective use of the huge population of the ESCAP region, which remains substantially untapped, has, therefore, been repeatedly stressed. In this regard, generation of productive employment opportunities and appropriate manpower planning constitute essential components of any integrated strategy for human resources development. By focusing on education and employment in this section, attention is concentrated on two major interrelated considerations in an issue that encompasses multidisciplinary features. The two selected subjects also underline the crucial importance of both demand and supply factors in human resources development. The issues are to provide substantive employment opportunities to new entrants in the labour force as well as to increase the productivity and incomes of those who are underemployed or likely to be displaced from marginalized sectors of the economy, and for the education and skill development programmes to be geared to match the availability of expertise and qualified persons to job opportunities and requirements in an efficient manner and, in a situation of rapid economic and technical change.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Reduced Inequalities