September 2022

Over 75s make up over 15% of Japan’s population for first time

The share of Japan's older adult population, those over age 65, has been increasing every year since 1950 and is expected to reach 35.3% of the total population in 2040. For the first time, Japan's over 75s account for over 15% of the population, after their cohort rose by 720,000 to 19.37 million people, government data released Sunday showed, in further evidence of the country's rapidly graying society. Also hitting a record high this year was the number of those over...

Demographic change impacting asset allocation

Aging populations and advances in technology influencing investment strategies Changing demographics are having a significant impact on asset allocation, latest research by BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM) shows. The asset manager's survey - conducted in association with Coalition Greenwich - questioned 135 institutional and intermediary investors across Europe, Asia and the US. The findings revealed just under four-fifths (78%) of European investors believe that changing demographics factors had already had an impact on asset allocation, along with 83% of Asian investors....

China population: pension burden in the spotlight as more than a third of provinces have 20 per cent of population aged above 60

In Liaoning province, 25.7 per cent of the population is aged over 60, while in Shandong the figure is 21.15 per cent Analysts say ageing is one of the biggest challenges facing China, with enormous strain likely for the pension system Citizens aged 60 or over account for more than a fifth of residents in 13 of China’s 31 provincial-level jurisdictions, highlighting growing strain on the country’s struggling pension fund, but possible opportunities for the silver economy. The alarming figure was recently...

US. Understanding the economic impacts of an aging population

Societal aging can affect economic growth, patterns of work and retirement, the ability for families to function, and how government and communities can provide adequate resources for older adults. This episode takes a look at the business of aging. The conversation begins with a macro discussion by diving into the numbers and how the U.S. population is getting progressively older (due to lower birth rates). In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau says the nation’s population has grown continuously older over the...

Australia. Pensioners re-entering workforce would make a ‘tangible difference’

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor has discussed various solutions to Australia’s labour shortage as the Jobs and Skills summit kicks off in Canberra today. “We put a very practical suggestion, a tangible outcome that we get pensioners and veterans – give them an incentive to do more work without losing their pensions,” Mr Taylor told Sky News Australia. “There is enough pensioners and veterans out there who want to do extra work that it would make a tangible difference. “We have heard crickets...

August 2022

​PFA rapped by Danish FSA over alternatives risks

Denmark’s largest commercial pension provider, PFA, has been reprimanded by the country’s Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) for failings in the way it manages its alternative investments, such as private equity, credit and infrastructure. PFA, which manages some DKK725bn (€97.5bn) of assets, said the Danish FSA had carried out an operational inspection of its alternative investments from 16 to 25 March 2021, and based on that, the firm had received five official orders to correct procedures. The five areas concerned were PFA’s...

Elon Musk thinks the population will collapse. Demographers say it’s not happening

Billionaire Elon Musk tweeted, not for the first time, that "population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming." Climate change is a serious problem facing the planet and experts say it's difficult to compare problems. What is clear, demographers say, is that the global population is growing, despite declines in some parts of the world, and it shouldn't be collapsing any time soon -- even with birth rates at lower levels...

Technology can turn Asia’s ageing population problem into a longevity dividend

The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted a fundamental shift in attitudes towards technology in the workplace. Concerns that computers would render workers obsolete are giving way to the appreciation that technology could free humanity from mundane tasks and enable more flexible ways of working and interaction. Crucially, digital technology will help keep older workers in employment and bring retirees back by permitting more flexible work arrangements and reducing the physical or cognitive demands of certain jobs. If mindsets can change, these...

China launches human resources website for older people

China on Wednesday launched a human resources website for older people, marking the first step of building a human resources information service platform for the country's older citizens. Read also New York City pension fund returns plunge in difficult year The website, launched by the China National Committee on Ageing, offers content including human resources policies, human resources knowledge and employment information. Read also Climate Risk and Indian Pension Funds The website aims to build a platform to help older people with employment,...

Dependents to exceed workers earlier than expected in Taiwan: NDC

Taiwan's dependent population will outnumber its working population earlier than previously forecast, according to a report released by the National Development Council on Monday. In its latest biennial report, the government's top planning agency maintained its forecast of Taiwan becoming a "super-aged society" -- with 20 percent of the population 65 or older -- in 2025. Read also US. How to reform Social Security to ensure a sustainable future The working population, however, is expected to become smaller than the dependent population...