Population and social integration policies in Asia and the Pacific

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.