Resource

Income Security for the Elderly and not-so-elderly in the Asia-Pacific Region

  • English
ILO
2008
28
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Summary (English)

The first part of this paper summarises the underlying theory and values behind the policy and programmes advocated by the ILO in the field of social security, presents the role of ILO conventions and recommendations and offers a survey of the different actors that have a role to play in developing and facilitating social security coverage.
The following variables affecting approaches to social security provision are discussed:
-Economic trends; (in particular the growth of the informal economy) their impact on the structure and nature of the workforce
-The rate of demographic transition in a country; in particular the rate of the ageing population trend

The second part of the paper offers an Asia-Pacific regional perspective; broadly identifying the specificities of different countries within the Asia-Pacific region in terms of their economic and demographic characteristics, current policy approaches to social security provision, the forms of social security provided and the mechanisms by which social security is financed and delivered in these countries. Particular attention is given to the question of pensions in view of demographic change and the need to address the potential for deficiencies of social security coverage as a consequence of migration.

The third part of the paper is devoted to the identification of areas of deficit or gaps in social security coverage or access across countries in the Asia-Pacific region, while the fourth part makes the case for the extension of social security coverage as an imperative, irrespective of conditions of fiscal constraint. As such this final part of the paper identifies major considerations for policy-makers relative to the choice of terms upon which social security access should be provided, offering commentaries on some of the distinctive policy approaches adopted by countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Related info

ILO Regional Meeting

Note

Technical Paper published at the ILO Asia-Pacific Regional High-Level Meeting on Socially-Inclusive Strategies to Extend Social Security Coverage, held in New Delhi, India, 19-20 May 2008.

Working paper 4480 microinsurance , pensions , actuarial valuation , financing , old-age
19.11.2008