GSP CONFERENCE 2022: Policy Responses to Population Ageing

Policy responses to population ageing GSP 2022

Many countries in Asia and across the world are experiencing population ageing and demographic transition. The ratio of working age citizens to senior citizens is falling, while state expenditure on healthcare and retirement needs will continue to grow. The demographic transition has numerous implications for public policy, spanning pension and healthcare systems, senior-friendly infrastructure and active ageing programmes.

Successful ageing requires attention to physical, psychological and social well-being. This necessitates a multi-stakeholder, whole-of-society effort to address the needs of seniors. Policies must also take cognizance of cultural norms, family structure and a country’s stage of development. Insights into these issues from the Singapore perspective as a ‘living laboratory’ of good governance can help students develop a greater appreciation for governance, policy formulation, and policy implementation in addressing a complex policy challenge.

In the first part of the course, called the “Singapore Policy Experience”, students learnt how policymakers in Singapore are addressing the multifaceted challenge of ageing and demographic transition. Lectures, practitioner sharing, as well as visits to public sector organisations helped them to gain a holistic understanding of the Singapore approach.

The second part of the course gave students the opportunity to work in groups, and to apply their minds to similar challenges faced by other countries. They have come up with recommendations across a range of policy domains, drawing on insights from the Singapore experience as well as their own research. The GSP Conference provides a platform for them to showcase their findings and recommendations to fellow students and interested stakeholders. It is hoped that this will contribute to public policy thinking on a topic of considerable importance to Asia.

Download the GSP 2022 Booklet here.