Off the wire
• S.Korea names new navy chief, deputy head of combined forces command  • China's crude oil output sees sharp drop  • New Zealand looks to extend science, engineering research links with China  • New backpacker tax turning away potential working visa holidaymakers from Australia  • A third of people in "skin cancer capital" still clueless on causes: new survey  • Stronger science key to global efforts against poverty, climate change: UN chief  • Caribbean countries urged to adopt "blue economy" to boost growth: report  • Lease of Australia's largest port sold for 7.2 bln USD  • Spotlight: Non-Aligned Movement takes stance on UN reform, terrorism, multilateralism  • New Zealand women encouraged to vote in elections  
You are here: 　 Home

Demographic changes present unique opportunity for Laos: UN organizations

Xinhua, September 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

Population dynamics have a big impact on development in the Laos, since fertility rates are dropping and the working-age population is growing, according to a UN press release.

If Laos does not start planning for this change in demographics, it will miss out on a unique opportunity to boost growth and investments for the future, Lao News Agency Monday quoted a statement of a Policy Symposium, jointly organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

UNDP's latest Regional Human Development Report, entitled "Shaping the future: How Change Demographics Can Power Human Development", notes that Asia-Pacific countries now have more working-aged people and fewer dependents than at any point in history, providing a springboard for growth. In Laos, 61 percent of people are of working age and the number of dependents is dropping rapidly.

"Among ASEAN countries, Lao People's Democratic Repulbic has youngest population profile. The next 35 years is a period of demographic opportunity for Lao PDR. When a greater share of people are available to work, save and pay taxes, there is opportunity to accelerate sustainable development", said Thangavel Palanivel, the lead author of report, who introduced the findings to an audience of representatives from the government, academia, development partners and civil society.

The report calls for immediate responses and outlines concrete policies tailored to the demographic profile of individual countries.

The Lao PDR is at the beginning stage of the transition, with 57 percent of its population currently under 25 years of age. To properly prepare them for the labor market, there is a need to invest in education and healthcare, smooth the transition from school to work, and encourage youth participation in public life.

"The share of Lao PDR's working age population is expected to reach a peak of 69 percent by 2050. After that, aging sets in and the demographic window of opportunity closes," said UNFPA Representative Frederika Meijer, "We need to make the right investments in young people now, especially for girls, so that we create an optimal workforce for the future and a competitive economy in the ASEAN Economic Community."

The Lao PDR can however benefit from regional expertise. The region's diversity provides room for south-south cooperation. Governments need to share experiences on long-term fiscal planning. Cooperation can also encourage safe migration from younger to older countries within the region, said the report.

"This favorable demography presents opportunities for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, but it also brings new challenges," said Kaarina Immonen, UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator, "The process of powering sustainable development through this demographic change is not automatic. Rather, it needs a long-term vision, strategic policies and good governance." Endit