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This paper serves as an introductory paper to the four papers published in this special issue of the Asia-Pacific Population Journal (APPJ) on “Growing Old in Asia: Declining Labour Supply, Living Arrangements and Active Ageing”. Population ageing is expected to result in an ageing workforce and in a significant slow-down in the growth of the working-age population. Together with lower participation rate of the elderly population in the labour market, ageing of the workforce will reduce the aggregate labour force participation rate in Asia, as it is the case currently in China. The declining labour supply is the first theme highlighted in this special issue. As family has traditionally been the pillar of support for older persons in Asia, the second theme in this special issue is the welfare of older persons themselves, particularly with respect to the role played by their families as regards their living arrangements. The third and last theme focused upon in this paper is active ageing as a means to improve the welfare of the booming elderly population.

From AMC conference Population and Development in Asia: Critical Issues for a sustainable Future, 20-22 March 2006.