Repositioning population research and policy in Asia: New issues and new opportunities

Policy research on Asia’s demographic transition over the last several decades has been overwhelmingly concerned with detailing the consequences of rapid population growth and measures to lower fertility. This research can point to significant accomplishments. Looking ahead, the now radically changed demographic landscape calls for a new agenda of policy research. Prominent among emerging population-related problems are: rapid population ageing with its major implications for inter-age transfers; changing marriage and family patterns underlying ultra-low fertility and possible population decline; and demographic adaptation to the new environmental conditions likely to be generated by climate change. As was the case with the demographic transition, Asia’s population scientists have the opportunity and arguably the obligation to spread their understanding of these emerging demographic realities and their analyses of how public policy might be brought to bear on them. Asia still needs a vigorous public demography.