Ageing and Social Policy In Turbulent Times: Comparative Perspectives In East Asia

Population ageing is accelerating in East Asia, further compounded by the declining fertility rates. Demographic change raises a significant question of how the welfare state should refashion itself to accommodate the changing social circumstances. In recent decades, East Asian countries have taken pains in expanding public responsibility to address these issues, ranging from family support to elderly care provision. For East Asian welfare states that used to feature family-centrism and relied on charity, the dramatic demographic change has created turbulent circumstances, in which the extent of social policy reform to enhance government commitment is immense, while the time allowed for policy implementation is urgent. In this light, this session explores the major issues pertaining to the structural transformation of the aged society, and the related social policy innovation in East Asia. Major themes include (but not limited to) the dualization of labour markets and the associated income inequality; gendered division of labour and changing family structure; as well as the application of “social investment” ideas in recent policy reforms. Meanwhile, East Asian countries respond in diverse ways to similar structural pressures arising from population ageing. The divergence in welfare state transformations results from the distinct institutional settings, varying problem perceptions amongst the policy advocates, and different power relations in the political realm of the respective countries. Against this background, this session further elaborates on the diverse social policy responses, and the rationales behind them, across East Asian countries.